USDA prepares for possible return of bird flu this fall

[Pathfinder]

USDA Prepares for Possible Return of Bird Flu This Fall

DES MOINES, Iowa ? Jul 7, 2015, 9:23 PM ET
By DAVID PITT Associated Press
Associated Press
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The government believes waterfowl carry the virus and dropped it over Midwestern farms during the spring migration north. Hotter, dryer weather kills the virus, but scientists worry it could return with cooler fall weather and the southward migration.

The USDA has prepared for an unlikely worst-case scenario, Clifford said, developing a plan robust enough to handle cases at up to 500 farms in all 20 states with major poultry flocks.
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One reason the virus spread so quickly was it took too long to euthanize the millions of sick birds who had flu, which made spreading more likely, Clifford said.
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http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/usda-prepares-return-bird-flu-fall-32285161

 

[Pathfinder]

Bird flu: 'Largest animal health emergency' in history

Donovan Slack and Nicole Gaudiano, News Journal Washington Bureau 9:18 p.m. EDT July 8, 2015

WASHINGTON ? The chief veterinary officer of the United States laid out a dire picture Wednesday of the devastating spread of highly contagious bird flu this year through some 232 poultry facilities, forcing the killing of 7.5 million turkeys and 42 million chickens, including roughly 10 percent of the nation's egg-laying population.

"Today, we are facing the largest animal health emergency in this country's history," Dr. John Clifford, deputy administrator for the USDA's animal and plant health inspection service, said in written testimony to the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee.
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Clifford testified that the risk of another outbreak is "significant" when birds begin to migrate again this fall.

He said his agency is doing everything it can to be ready, including supporting the development of a vaccine and working with states and industry on response plans. He said the USDA is still trying to streamline its processes for providing aid to poultry producers who were affected by the outbreak in the spring.
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While the flu has not been transmitted to humans, the Centers for Disease Control is preparing for the possibility, according to Dr. Anne Schuchat, director of the CDC's national center for immunization and respiratory diseases.

"CDC continues to assess the risk for these viruses for the general public as low, however, people with close or prolonged unprotected contact with infected birds or contaminated environments are likely at greater risk of infection," she testified.
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Clifford said the USDA is conducting workshops with state and industry officials outlining how they would be expected to respond in case of another outbreak and identifying ways to more quickly euthanize, remove and dispose of dead birds. The department also plans to hire 450 temporary employees for the fall, and increase surveillance of wild birds to spot the virus.

"I can assure you ... this disease has USDA's full attention," he said.
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http://www.delawareonline.com/story...est-animal-health-emergency-history/29887527/

 

[Pathfinder]

USDA secretary not ready to declare bird flu threat over despite no new cases in over a month

By STEVE KARNOWSKI Associated Press JULY 20, 2015 ? 11:10AM

MINNEAPOLIS ?...

While no new cases of the H5N2 virus have been detected over for over a month, Vilsack told The Associated Press on Monday that the threat hasn't passed.

Vilsack said poultry producers have caught a break thanks to the summer weather because warmer temperatures tend to kill the virus.

But he also said his agency is aware of the need to be prepared in case the disease reappears this fall.
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http://www.startribune.com/usda-secretary-not-ready-to-declare-bird-flu-outbreak-over/317560011/