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High-path AI remains a threat to poultry industry

The poultry industry was recently given a stark reminder that highly pathogenic avian influenza remains a threat.

On August 26^th the USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) confirmed the presence of the H5N2 virus in a mallard duck at a wildlife refuge near Fairbanks, Alaska.

Minnesota Turkey Growers executive director Steve Olson says this news reinforces the fact poultry producers need to remain vigilant.

“The biology of this virus is expected to be around three to five years, and we can’t rest on our laurels and need to keep our foot on the pedal to prevent this disease and make sure we’re on the lookout for it.”

He tells Brownfield state and federal agencies have increased testing and biosecurity measures are much improved.

But the detection in Alaska is consistent with what Olson believes happened in late 2014, months before the virus decimated turkey and egg laying farms in 21 states.

“There’s a couple flyways (that) intersect with where that bird was found.  It’s the Pacific Flyway along the West Coast, but also the Mississippi Flyway that comes right down through Minnesota.”

The U.S. Geological Survey calls Alaska a hotspot for avian influenza because Asian and North American migratory flyways overlap, and Olson says it’s likely the virus originated in Asia.