June 6, 2008

USDA proposes increasing bird flu testing
   

The USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has proposed to increase the number of tests approved for bird flu used in breeding and commercial poultry from two to four.

APHIS said the additional tests could provide rapid results, which would be useful as a part of a response and containment plan should there be an outbreak.

APHIS also plans to increase the frequency of required bird flu tests to 90-day intervals instead of 180-day intervals.