American poultry producers have been advised that bird flu is becoming a permanent feature in the United States and they should adjust their policies for this “new normal”.
The warning came in a statement by Scott Gottlieb of the American Enterprise Institute, a public policy think tank. Gottlieb is a former head of the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Bird flu has spread throughout the US, affecting nearly all poultry producing states, and the resultant high egg prices have become a political issue there.
Gottlieb said bid flu had “wreaked havoc” on US egg supplies, and recent price drops may be temporary because the seasonal migration for wild birds in the northern hemisphere spring could trigger more outbreaks.
“The avian influenza strains now in circulation have persisted continuously among birds and mammals for nearly two years, and there’s growing evidence that it could become a permanent feature of North America — part of a new normal to which the poultry industry must inevitably adjust for both the physical and economic health of Americans,” Gottlieb stated.
“This virus can be spread through wild birds, contaminated farm equipment, and in some cases, airborne dander traveling short distances and contaminating nearby water sources.
“The most effective strategy is to prevent flocks from becoming infected in the first place. Strategies for vaccinating egg-laying hens need further exploration and implementation. There are concerns surrounding the technological feasibility of mass vaccinations and trade objections; however, they can be addressed by advancing vaccine innovations and increasing biosecurity,” Gottlied wrote.
