The presence of the H1N1 flu virus has been identified in a turkey breeding flock in California’s Central Valley, the American Veterinary Medical Association said Jan. 6. According to the AVMA, this H1N1 flu infection was confirmed Dec. 28, 2009 by the California Animal Health and Food Safety (CAHFS) Laboratory after tests of samples taken from the infected flock. The flock did not show any clinical signs of illness other than a decrease in egg production. The state has not officially quarantined the site, however, the producer has imposed a self quarantine pending the completion of further testing, the AVMA said. In addition, samples were forwarded to the National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL) in Ames, Iowa, for more confirmatory testing. Turkeys in the United States have previously tested positive for the H1N1 virus in the state of Virginia. They also have tested positive in Canada and Chile, according to the AVMA. The virus, which the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates has infected from 14 million to 34 million people in the United States, also has been identified in pigs, cats, ferrets and a dog. Click here to view updates and all instances of H1N1 in animals tracked by the AVMA. <HOME>
