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Officials hope warmer weather will slow avian flu

turkeysState and federal officials are hoping warmer weather will help slow the spread of the avian influenza virus that has infected dozens of turkey and egg farms in the Midwest.

“In general, as we see the wild waterfowl moving north and temperatures warming up on the U.S. landscape, we expect to see a decrease in the number of cases,” says T.J. Myers, veterinarian with USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.

But Myers says there is also “a big concern” that the virus will return this fall.

“Knowing that this is in the wild bird populations—so we do need to be mindful of that and prepare for the colder weather again.”

Experts believe the virus is spread by migratory birds such as ducks and geese.

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