Bird flu is making a comeback in the United States, and researchers are concerned that although the risk to the general public remains low, many people may not know about the true impact of bird flu.
what’s the matter?
Like the New York Times reportedAvian flu has reared its ugly head once again. According to data from the Animal and Plant Quarantine and Inspection Service, about 7 million farmed birds have died from the disease since early September. This includes supply issues for the upcoming holiday season due to the death of more than 1 million turkeys due to avian flu.
Outbreaks of bird flu typically occur in the fall due to the seasonal migration of wild birds. These movements bring together diverse bird populations, increasing the spread of the virus to new regions and domestic flocks.
Why is this fall’s avian flu outbreak important?
Turkeys, the most popular bird for Thanksgiving cooking, are typically in high demand throughout the month of November. An avian flu outbreak this fall could reduce the supply of healthy turkeys, driving up turkey prices.
Diseases that occur during fall migration can result in large numbers of birds being culled to prevent their spread. This can lead to lower overall flock sizes and higher prices due to production shortages and reduced supplies.
Due to the recent government shutdown and policy revisions by U.S. government agencies, many people may not understand the exact explanation for this season’s avian flu outbreak. This can result in experts not having up-to-date information.
“With the government shutdown, I know less than I normally do.” said Dr. Amy Swinford, director of the Texas A&M Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory.
What measures are being taken against bird flu?
Unlike previous outbreaks, this avian flu outbreak lasted several years and has been confirmed in every U.S. state at some point since 2022. According to the USDA reportThe outbreak has been declared “the longest and deadliest animal disease emergency in U.S. history.”
Over the past three years, more than 168 million birds have been infected with avian influenza, leading to millions of dollars in lost profits and significant reductions in the nation’s food supply. The avian flu outbreak has been identified as a major cause of the surge in egg prices across the country over the past few years.
To help prevent the spread of bird flu, animal science experts at Michigan State University have provided some easy-to-follow guidelines. suggestion For farmers and breeders. This includes everything from removing stagnant water sources that migratory birds may access to quarantining “newly acquired animals” for at least two weeks.
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