Despite warnings from disease specialists that wild birds are likely spreading a very dangerous strain of avian flu throughout the nation, poultry farmers in the United States are increasing safety procedures for their flocks.
Following the discovery of highly virulent bird flu on a large turkey farm in Indiana last week, China, as well as South Korea, and Mexico banned the importation of poultry from the nation. The epidemic placed the United States’ manufacturing sector on edge at a time when vacancies are propelling the rise in food prices.
The illness is already rampant in Europe and has expanded to Africa, Asia, and Canada, but the epidemic in Indiana, which is located on a migratory bird migration route, has caused special concern among U.S. poultry and egg producers. In 2015, a severe bird-flu epidemic in the United States killed approximately 50 million birds, the majority of which were turkeys and egg-laying hens in the Midwest.
What causes bird flu?
Bird flu, also known as avian flu or avian influenza, is caused by influenza viruses that occur naturally among birds. These viruses can be passed from one bird to another, but usually do not sicken the host bird – similar to how human influenza viruses circulate among people without making them sick. There are some bird flu viruses that can infect humans and cause illness, but most cases of bird flu infection in people have resulted from contact with infected poultry (e.g., domesticated chicken, ducks, and turkeys) or surfaces contaminated with secretion/excretions from infected birds.
Most strains of avian influenza are not transmissible to humans. However, there have been instances where human-to-human transmission has occurred through close contact with infected birds or their droppings. One strain of bird flu, H7N9, can cause severe illness in humans, though it is not easily transmitted among people.
