Avian influenza (AI) threat returns to North America

The number of poultry in the USA affected by the Avian Influenza outbreaks detected so far has reached a total of more than 6.9 million. This figure includes over 4.1 million commercial chickens, 2.8 million commercial turkey s and over 7,000 backyard poultry.

Bird flu is an infection caused by avian (bird) influenza (flu) viruses. These flu viruses occur naturally among birds. Wild birds worldwide carry the viruses in their intestines, but usually do not get sick from them. However, bird flu is very contagious among birds and can make some domesticated birds, including chickens, ducks, and turkeys, very sick and kill them. Outbreaks of AI in poultry may raise global public health concerns due to their effect on poultry populations, their potential to cause serious disease in people, and their pandemic potential. Reports of highly pathogenic AI epidemics in poultry, such as AI virus H5N1, can seriously impact local and global economies and international trade. 

Avian influenza threatening flock health worldwide. To protect flock health and prevent the spread of disease, surveillance and biosecurity measures must be both efficient and accurate.

Read: Susceptibility of Avian Influenza virus subtype H5N1 to Stalosan® F