Avian flu continues to spread in Europe and Asia, and it is now spreading within the U.S. border. Since our last update on March 6, the avian flu has spread to Giles County, TN, and is suspected at three farms near the Tennessee border in Alabama.
A case of low pathogenic avian flu was discovered on a chicken farm March 9 in Giles County, TN. State officials don’t believe the disease spread from the infected farm in Lincoln County, TN. All chickens on the site were culled, and a 6.2 mile quarantine zone was established.
Alabama’s Department of Agriculture and Industries issued a stop movement order on certain poultry within the state. The state is currently investigating three possible outbreaks of avian flu at three separate farms near the border with Tennessee. “The health of poultry is critically important at this time,” said State Veterinarian Dr. Tony Frazier. “With three investigations of avian influenza in north Alabama on three separate premises we feel that the stop movement order is the most effective way to implement biosecurity for all poultry in our state.”
Meanwhile, some chickens at an Alabama farm owned by Aviagen were culled due to a suspected outbreak of avian flu. The company culled 15,000 of its 153,000 birds due to the presence of antibodies for the virus, according to Alabama’s state veterinarian. In addition, a backyard flock suspected of carrying the virus chose to cull 70 chickens, reported Reuters (March 14).
For more information on the outbreak and its effects in the global market, Food Institute members can read the March 13 edition of the The Food Institute Report. As always, stay tuned to The Food Institute Blog for the latest updates.