April 4, 2006

FDA to focus on poultry bio-security to stamp out bird flu

The Food & Drug Administration (FDA) is roping in the US feed industry to forestall bird flu should it enter the US. 

The agency is planning an educational campaign for the feed industry on proper disposal of contaminated animal feed should an outbreak occur at a commercial poultry farm. Measures would also be taken to ensure proper handling of poultry litter and carcass in such an event.

FDA will be testing imported poultry for residues of anti-viral drugs, which are illegal in poultry feed. The move follows reports in China of the illegal use of a human anti-viral drug in chickens whose use was believed to have caused the H5N1 virus to develop resistance to viral drugs.