North America’s poultry industry is grappling with ongoing cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). The USDA has reported that the virus has reached over 60 million birds in 47 states.
Arkansas has recently joined the list of affected states, with a Madison County farm’s flock of 31,600 broiler breeder pullets contracting the disease. A quarantine zone has been established to curb the spread.
Further cases have emerged in Iowa, Minnesota, and South Dakota, states already dealing with the virus. The USDA’s APHIS has noted HPAI detections in 16 states since October.
In Canada, outbreaks in British Columbia and Saskatchewan have led to scrutiny of migratory birds as a potential vector for HPAI, with many showing symptoms upon arrival in the region.
Mexico’s first HPAI outbreak this season has affected a farm in Sonora, leading to the culling of 90,000 birds in total to prevent the spread. This outbreak challenges the USDA’s positive growth forecast for Mexico’s poultry industry in 2024.
The ongoing HPAI cases highlight the need for stringent biosecurity measures in the poultry sector.
