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Poultry industry working to stay ahead of avian flu

The poultry industry is working to stay ahead of high-path avian influenza.

Steve Olson is the executive director of the Minnesota Turkey Growers Association.

He says the H5N2 influenza strain that sickened millions of birds earlier this year has been tested for possible mutations.

“From what we know in having conversations with APHIS (Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service), as well as researchers at the University of Minnesota and other places, is that the virus hasn’t changed a whole lot.  That’s a little bit unusual with influenza viruses, because they do change over time.  They go into different hosts, and we’re not seeing that same degree of change.”

Olson says USDA recently released a fall plan to combat avian flu, and it’s a combination of discussions the department had with industry and state officials on what worked and what didn’t, this spring.