Concern regarding the Avian Flu?
Published on May 4, 2022
Below is some helpful information copied from the National Chicken Council, but in short no birds from HPAI-infected flocks are ever allowed to enter the food chain. The United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) works with the state animal health officials to ensure and prevent the spread of disease. More information can be found here: USDA APHIS | USDA Confirms Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in Vermont.
From the National Chicken Council:
What are chicken producers doing to prevent avian influenza?
Avian flu is a serious issue that chicken farmers closely monitor together with the USDA and poultry industry. The U.S. has the most robust monitoring and surveillance programs in the world – and detailed plans in place to control spreading among flocks and eliminate the virus completely. All U.S. flocks are tested year-round for avian influenza, and if a single bird in a flock were to test positive for avian flu, then none of those birds would be allowed to enter the food supply.
Farmers, the USDA and the poultry industry as a whole continue to monitor for the virus closely, and have increased surveillance and biosecurity measures to keep flocks protected. Good biosecurity practices on the farm are key to preventing avian influenza from infecting the birds.
The following biosecurity measures are the most important to prevent disease spread and promote flock health:
- Limiting visitors on the farm and minimizing foot traffic;
- Avoiding contact with wild and domestic fowl;
- Avoiding the sharing of farm equipment;
- Having a clean and functioning footbath at each entrance to the broiler house;
- Ensuring that all visitors or personnel have disinfected or new footwear before entering a house or facility;
- Making sure feed and water sources are covered and free of contaminants, limiting the attraction of wild fowl and pests;
- Having official signage clearly stating the farm is a biosecure zone and any unauthorized entry is strictly prohibited;
- Employing effective pest and wild bird management practices; and
- Adequately training farmers, farm and company personnel in biosecurity and disease prevention.
See biosecurity practices in action and learn how farmers monitor the health of the chicken flock.
What happens if there is an outbreak of avian Influenza on a chicken farm?
In the event of an outbreak, the poultry industry has strict procedures in line with state and federal organizations to identify the problem and reduce the spread of the disease. When avian flu is detected, the following five-step response plan is carried out:
- Quarantine
- First, the farmer ensures that the affected flock stays put in one area, along with any equipment that has been near the birds.
- Eradicate
- The affected flock is then quickly and humanely euthanized.
- Monitor Region
- At the same time, both wild and domestic birds in a broad surrounding “control” area are tested and monitored for avian influenza.
- Disinfect
- The farm where the flock was housed is then thoroughly disinfected to ensure any traces of the virus is killed.
- Test
- Last, the entire poultry farm is carefully tested for 21 days to confirm it is free of bird flu before allowing a new flock of birds to arrive.
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