July 29, 2015

Federal funds, vaccine to help fight future outbreaks of bird flu in US

The recent bird flu outbreak in the US is a "unique disaster", US Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack remarked during a two-day conference in Iowa, US.

In the wake of damages caused, US$700 million in federal funds had been distributed to the poultry sector to help in combating bird flu and rebuilding stocks. According to Vilsack, up to US$400 million were channeled towards cleanup and disinfection activities in 21 affected states, while most of the US$191 million were set aside for indemnification aid to producers.

In addition, more money had been directed towards the development of a vaccine which can be stockpiled. With the potential of another outbreak this fall, a list of disposal sites and protocols was developed.

While Vilsack hopes for a timely introduction of the vaccine, it is still the individual prerogative of US states to decide on authorising its use as this could affect exports of poultry and egg to other countries. Further discussions with the USDA and the poultry industry are likely to happen before the vaccine can be properly employed, Terry Branstad, the governor of Iowa, said.   

Together with Branstad, Vilsack is urging Congress to implement a countrywide disaster programme for poultry similar to current ones for livestock, in order to provide for predictability and stability in economically-adverse situations like the bird flu.

According to Branstd, the bird flu outbreak had cut Iowa's egg production by 44% and turkey by 11%. The state had an annual production volume of 16.5 million eggs.

"It's a disaster like no other that we have experienced in our state," Branstad said.