Dr. John Clifford, with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Chief Veterinary Office, recently held a press call to help explain important information about the avian influenza event currently occurring in the U.S.
Since December 2014, USDA has confirmed cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5 in the Pacific, Central and Mississippi Flyways (migratory paths for birds). The disease has been found in wild birds, as well as in some backyard and commercial poultry flocks.
There are three important things to know about this situation:
1. Our food supply is safe. Food is safe because the U.S. has the strongest AI surveillance system in the world
2. The risk to humans is low. No human infections with these viruses have been detected, and the CDC considers the risk to people from these HPAI H5 infections in wild birds, backyard flocks and commercial poultry to be low.
3. USDA will continue to do everything it can to support states and producers. USDA is coordinating closely with state officials and other federal departments on rigorous surveillance, reporting and control efforts.
All bird owners, whether commercial producers or backyard enthusiasts, should prevent contact between their birds and wild birds and report sick birds or unusual birds deaths to state/federal officials, either through their state veterinarian or through USDA’s toll-free number at 1-866-536-7593.