Testing in Virginia has confirmed the first case of the H1N1 virus in a U.S. turkey flock. USDA reports that samples collected during November all tested positive in initial rapid screening tests and so far one of those samples has been confirmed by further virus isolation testing. The problem was identified when the Virginia turkey breeder flock experienced a drop in egg production.
The source of the virus may have been a worker at the farm who was sent home ill with flu-like symptoms. As with pork, the H1N1 virus cannot be transmitted by eating turkey.