The relentless onslaught of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) persists unabated, triggering widespread culling and import bans on U.S. poultry. Recent confirmed cases in various states have exacerbated the crisis, prompting drastic measures to contain the deadly virus.
In the aftermath of outbreaks in Oregon, South Dakota, and California, a fresh HPAI outbreak among commercial layer chickens in Sioux County, Iowa, prompted Governor Kim Richards to declare a disaster proclamation. Since October, 11 counties in Iowa have grappled with HPAI, resulting in the culling of an estimated 1.3 million chickens, commercial turkeys, game birds, and other poultry to curb the virus’s spread. Simultaneously, Taylor County, Iowa, faced the culling of 1.2 million layer chickens following a recent confirmation of HPAI infection.
Ohio witnessed a grim situation, with all 1.35 million layers in Union County slated for culling after recent HPAI confirmations, as reported by the USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS). Georgia reported its first HPAI outbreak of the fall migration season, detecting positive HPAI tests among commercial ducks in Sumter County, leading to the culling of about 20,000 birds as part of containment measures.
The surge in HPAI cases across 24 U.S. states within the past 30 days prompted the Philippines to impose a temporary ban on U.S. poultry products from Minnesota and South Dakota. Officials at the Bureau of Animal Industry in Manila noted only two active HPAI cases in the Philippines after recent outbreaks and the use of vaccines to contain the spread.
Beyond North America, Canada faced new HPAI outbreaks confirmed in British Columbia, where nearly 5 million birds have already been culled since late October, according to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA). Japan reported its first HPAI cases of the season, leading to the culling of about 40,000 laying hens in Kashima City, Saga’s southern prefecture, and the establishment of control zones to prevent further virus spread.
As the HPAI crisis intensifies globally, the poultry industry grapples with unprecedented challenges, prompting nations to implement stringent measures to safeguard public health and the well-being of poultry populations.
