Bird flu suspected in turkey flock in the U.S.

The discovery of what is suspected to be avian flu antibodies in a flock of turkeys on a farm in the United States has experts alarmed.

The farm is in Shenandoah County in Virginia and as a result of the discovery all poultry sales and shows have been banned for the rest of the month.

The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, says the ban remains in effect until July 30th and also applies to 17 western Virginia counties regarding the transfer and application of poultry litter, a combination of floor shavings and manure that is either processed into fertilizer or spread directly on fields.

All poultry shows and sales have also been suspended for the next 30 days in West Virginia.

The antibodies which were discovered in 54,000 turkeys match those of a mild strain of avian influenza and were discovered during routine testing last week; a U.S. Department of Agriculture laboratory is conducting tests to determine the exact cause.

The farm near Mount Jackson has been placed under quarantine, and can only receive essential supplies such as feed or emergency veterinary visits.

None of the turkeys carrying the antibodies have shown any signs of illness but the flock will be destroyed because of the danger that a low pathogenicity strain can convert to high pathogenicity avian flu.

In 2002 almost 5 million birds were destroyed when Virginia experienced a full-blown avian flu outbreak.

The poultry industry in nearby Rockingham County is thought to be among the largest in the country.