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avian flu

Bird-flu vaccine needs more work, only 60-percent effective

The government said it will not approve release of a vaccine against the worst U.S. epidemic of avian influenza in poultry because none of the drugs now available works well enough. "Currently, there is lack of a well matched, effective vaccine for HPAI [highly pathogenic avian influenza] from the public and private sectors. The vaccine currently available offers just 60 percent effectiveness in chickens, leaving 4 in 10 birds unprotected," said the USDA.

Holes in the biosecurity net against avian influenza

Security rules against the spread of avian influenza are being applied unevenly or not followed at several farms in Iowa, the state hit hardest by the avian influenza epidemic, "potentially increasing the risks that the disease could spread further," says Reuters. It reports that at half of six poultry farms that a reporter visited, operations did not comply with USDA or state protocols to restrict access to farms, to provide protective gear to workers, and to clean the wheels of vehicles leaving the farm.

USDA developing bird flu vaccine, no plans to use it

USDA scientists are working on a poultry vaccine against avian influenza with no immediate plans to use it, says Reuters. A test is expected within a couple of months at a poultry-disease lab in Georgia.

Mexico eases restrictions on U.S. poultry

A decision by Mexico to allow the import of poultry meat from states affected by avian influenza "signals the disease's threat to U.S. poultry exports is starting to subside," according to a report from Bloomberg.

Bird-flu epidemic spreads east to Indiana, 14th state

Highly pathogenic avian influenza was confirmed in a backyard flock of mixed poultry in northeastern Indiana, the farthest east the disease was been identified since the epidemic began last Dec. 14, said the USDA. The outbreak occurred in Whitley County, about 25 miles west of Fort Wayne. State official quarantined the property and said the flock would be destroyed as a precaution against spread of the disease.

Minnesota declares emergency due to bird-flu outbreaks

Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton declared a state of emergency because of avian influenza that has hit nearly four dozen poultry farms in the state and resulted in the loss of hundreds of thousands of turkeys, reports the Minneapolis Star-Tribune. "It also has hit the first Minnesota chicken farm," J&A Farms, near Detroit Lakes, which has 300,000 egg-laying hens. Owner Amon Baer said federal compensation for the loss of the flock will not cover the expense of cleaning and disinfecting the laying houses.

The antidote for bird-blu outbreaks: warm, sunny weather

Warm spring weather is the surest cure for the worst outbreak of avian influenza to hit the U.S. poultry industry in three decades, said USDA chief veterinarian John Clifford. Some 7.3 million chickens, turkeys and other poultry in 13 states have been infected or killed by the flu, or destroyed as a precaution against spread of the virus. Minnesota, the No. 1 turkey state, has recorded 41 cases.

Bird-flu impact: food-plant layoffs, fewer holiday turkeys

Turkey processor Jennie-O, owned by Hormel Foods, said it will lay off 233 workers at its plant in Faribault, 50 miles south of Minneapolis, because bird flu has reduced the number of turkeys available for slaughter, reports the Minneapolis Star-Tribune. Avian influenza has hit 80 poultry farms in Minnesota, with losses of more than 3.8 million turkeys. More than half of the 76 turkey farms with an outbreak appear to be Jennie-O suppliers, says the Star-Tribune. The layoffs in Faribault will take effect on May 26. The company said, "We do not have an anticipated return-to-work date at this time."

Bird flu confirmed in turkey flock in California

The low pathogenic H7N3 avian influenza virus was confirmed in a commercial flock of 6,100 turkeys in California, said the World Organization for Animal Health in a notice on its website.

U.S. bird flu losses leap to 8 million birds with Iowa outbreak

Highly pathogenic avian influenza was confirmed in an egg farm with 5.3 million laying hens in northwestern Iowa, said the USDA. It was the largest outbreak yet in the United States and tripled the number of birds killed by the disease or destroyed to prevent its spread. Until the Iowa case, the USDA listed total losses from 53 other cases at 2.7 million birds, mostly turkeys. The Iowa Agriculture Department said state officials quarantined the farm in Osceola County, "and birds on the property will be humanely euthanized to prevent the spread of the disease."

Sharp drop in poultry exports due to bird flu, stronger dollar

U.S. poultry exports will fall by 8.5 percent this year under the pressure of avian influenza and the stronger dollar, says the Livestock, Dairy and Poultry Outlook. Two major importers of U.S. poultry meat, China and South Korea, have restricted shipments as a precaution against spread of bird flu. The two Asian countries bought 5.5 percent of U.S. poultry exports last year. Their bans reduced U.S. sales by 25.5 million pounds in February, when bird flu was not as widespread as now.

Bird flu is confirmed in eastern Kansas, third state in a week

USDA identified a strain of highly contagious avian influenza in a poultry flock in Leavenworth County, Kansas, "the latest flare-up in a multi-state outbreak threatening U.S. poultry producers," said the PBS NewsHour.

Bird flu confirmed on northwestern Arkansas turkey farm

The first case of H5N2 avian influenza in the U.S. South this year was confirmed on a turkey farm in northwestern Arkansas. A flock of 40,020 turkeys in Boone County, about 140 miles north-northwest of Little Rock, was hit.

Found in Minnesota, Missouri, bird flu now suspected in Arkansas

The highly pathogenic H5N2 avian influenza was confirmed in two turkey flocks in Missouri, the Agriculture Department announced, five days after the same virus was identified in a turkey flock in western Minnesota.

Small impact on red meat from bird flu export bans

Export restrictions on U.S. poultry, imposed because of outbreaks of avian influenza, are not likely to have a significant impact on the beef sector, said USDA chief economist Robert Johannson. "At this point, it doesn't appear to be an issue." A couple of dozen countries have imposed full or partial bans on U.S. poultry. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack told senators the bans affect roughly 15 percent of poultry exports and that the USDA was to keep shipments moving.

California turkey flock is first commercial case of bird flu

The highly pathogenic H5N8 avian influenza virus was confirmed in a commercial turkey flock in Stanislaus County, in the heavily agricultural Central Valley of California, said the Agriculture Department.

Two strains of bird flu found in Washington state

Two types of highly pathogenic avian influenza, H5N2 and H5N8, were found in Washington state outside of commercial poultry farms, said USDA.

USDA: 13 avian influenza cases found, “we anticipate” more

Thirteen cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza were confirmed in the Northwest U.S. since Dec 8, including three cases on Jan 16, said the Agriculture Department. None were in commercial flocks. "Because the H5N2 and H5N8 avian influenza strains are currently circulating in migratory birds in the Pacific flyway, we anticipate our active surveillance will result in additional findings in both wild birds and in backyard flocks with access to the outdoors," said USDA.

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