December 1, 2022

More than 50.5 million birds culled in the US so far due to bird flu

The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) said more than 50.5 million birds in US poultry farms have been culled due to bird flu outbreaks in the country, as the virus has spread among flocks in over 40 states, Merco Press reported.

The most recent report comes from Nebraska, where 1.8 million more chickens will be culled after an egg-laying farm was found to have bird flu, about 190 km north of Omaha.

Rosemary Sifford, chief veterinary officer of the USDA, said preventing contact between domestic flocks and wild birds is essential to protecting US poultry, as migrating wild birds continue to spread HPAI (highly pathogenic avian influenza) throughout the country.

Prior to last week's Thanksgiving holiday in the US, prices for eggs and turkey increased as a result of bird flu-related poultry deaths. A traditional Thanksgiving turkey now costs almost US$29 for a 7.5 kg bird, according to the American Farm Bureau.

The UK and Europe have experienced record-breaking bird flu outbreaks, along with parts of Africa and Asia.

The World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) said the wave of bird flu outbreaks is the result of global trade, agricultural practices, and migratory wild birds. According to the organisation, over 4.6 million birds died or were killed between mid-October and mid-November alone.

The USDA said this year's outbreak has resulted in the slaughter of more than 50.5 million birds across 46 states, primarily chickens and turkeys on industrial farms. Nebraska is second only to Iowa state's 15.5 million birds killed with 6.8 million birds now affected at 13 farms.

-      Merco Press