Nearly 35,000 turkeys killed off at central Utah facility as bird flu returns

KEY TAKEAWAYS

Nearly 35,000 turkeys were culled in central Utah due to avian influenza.

The outbreak occurred in Sanpete County, affecting a single facility's birds.

Still, officials assure turkey availability won't be impacted ahead of Thanksgiving.

TAYLORSVILLE — Nearly 35,000 turkeys were recently culled after cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza were detected at a commercial turkey facility in central Utah, state agriculture officials said Friday.

Flu was found within an undisclosed facility in Sanpete County, leading to the decision to depopulate to prevent further spread of the viral infection, which often leads to "high death rates in flocks," Utah Department of Agriculture and Food officials said. They add they're "working closely" with the U.S. Department of Agriculture