The USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has confirmed a second case of bird flu in Tennessee.
The H7N9 strain of avian influenza is considered to be highly pathogenic and is from lineage of virus found in North American wild birds.
APHIS says samples from the affected flock were tested last week after the birds were showing signs of illness and a spike in mortality rates.
The USDA is now working with the Tennessee Department of Agriculture to quarantine the area and destroy the rest of the 55,000 chickens in the flock.
Federal and state officials will also begin tests of commercial and backyard birds located within 10 kilometers of the farm.
The Lincoln County barn is located about 3 kilometers away from the first bird flu case which was reported two weeks ago.
