Since the onset of the highly-pathogenic avian influenza (H5N1) in the US in February 2022, the poultry industry has been hit hard. The outbreak has resulted in the culling or loss of over 58 million poultry birds and the USDA has paid out over $670m in insurance indemnities and sanitary services, with compensation to farmers costing the US state around $950m.
The disease has affected over 150 wild bird species and more than 6,000 wild birds have been affected. To date, the disease has caused more than 150 commercial and backyard poultry flocks across 47 states to be affected, with farmers and producers seeing terrible losses in the industry. Scientists warn that if there is no significant public-private collaboration to reduce its spread, then this deadly disease could become endemic to North America.
The outbreak could not have come at a worse time for the meat industry, which is still experiencing the knock-on effects of the Covid-19 pandemic. The avian influenza outbreak has added pressure on already tight supplies of chicken, turkey and eggs resulting in higher prices for consumers, which will be felt for months to come.
The impact of the avian influenza outbreak may impact other countries as well if the disease spreads, which would also have an impact on trade. However, this outbreak has again highlighted the need for greater vigilance and the necessity for stricter compliance with regulations for animal health and safety in the poultry industry.
The USDA has announced that it will be intensifying its biosecurity measures to keep flocks and farmers safe from future disease outbreaks. In addition, the USDA has also set up a task force to investigate and respond to the spread of the disease, which industry experts say is a positive sign that the sector is pulling together to tackle the issue. The USDA has emphasized the importance of preventing ‘wild birds’ from entering poultry areas and urged farmers and producers to maintain high levels of biosecurity to prevent the spread of the disease.
In conclusion, the avian influenza outbreak in the US has resulted in significant losses for the poultry industry and has added to the economic woes of the meat industry. Industry experts warn against taking this outbreak lightly, and greater vigilance and compliance with regulations for animal health and safety are necessary to tackle the issue. The US government has taken steps to mitigate the impact of the outbreak while stressing on biosecurity to prevent future outbreaks.
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