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APHIS issues plan to combat avian influenza
The USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has issued its plan for dealing with a possible return of the avian influenza virus this fall.
The plan includes heightened biosecurity at poultry farms; streamlined response capabilities; and preparation for the possible use of vaccines.
Dr. T.J. Myers with APHIS says it also includes more people. Last time, he says, there were four incident management teams.
“We’ve increased that to five,” Myers says, “and we’ve also set a goal of hiring about 350 veterinarians, animal health technicians and administrative support to be on hand in case we need to deploy personnel.”
Myers says if the virus returns, a faster response to outbreaks will be one of the keys to preventing its spread.
This spring’s avian flu outbreak is considered to be the worst animal disease in U.S. history. It affected nearly 49 million birds in 21 states.
This past spring there were problems getting rid of the dead birds. What is the plan for disposing of the birds this fall if the virus returns?