The worst U.S. avian influenza outbreak in seven years is finally fading away.
The USDA says that May saw the smallest amount of losses so far this year. Almost 38 million birds in domestic flocks have died coast to coast since February. Egg-laying hens accounted for three of every four losses, and egg prices have been almost double compared to last year.
USDA’s Chief Veterinarian shares how the department is helping with the losses.
“Secretary Tom Vilsack recently approved a transfer of $400 million dollars from the Commodity Credit Corporation to APHIS to support our response efforts,” Dr. Rosemary Sifford states.
Nearly 80 Canadian farms have also been hit and the strain has been reported in all provinces except Prince Edward Island. However, Canada’s infection numbers also seem to be slowing down, but the country’s food inspection agency says that it is too early to say that the spread has flatlined.
According to Pamela McDonald, “Alberta right now is sitting at 28, Ontario has 26 infected premises, and Saskatchewan is third with twelve. What we’re hoping to see, once the spring migration ends, is a significant drop in the number of affected premises. I don’t want to say that it’s plateaued as of quite yet. Hopefully, with the warmer temperatures, that’ll help hurry the migration and allow us to see things start to go on a downward trend.”
She adds that the disease is a zoonotic virus. Transmission to humans is extremely rare but that is why such strict protocols are in place.
USDA says that another wave could hit this fall when birds migrate south.
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