Whats being done to stop avian influenza from spreading in birds?
Top A: In countries where H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) is prevalent infected poultry are destroyed to reduce the risk of infecting other birds and to minimize human exposure. Awareness of avian influenza (AI) virus has been heightened, and education has become a priority in affected areas around the world. The USDA recognizes the potential threat to human health and has therefore increased its surveillance and control efforts to detect HPAI and, if/when found, contain and eradicate HPAI in domestic poultry. More information about USDA’s efforts and response to AI in the United States is available at http://www.usda.gov and http://pandemicflu.gov/. In 2006, the US commercial chicken industry started a voluntary program to test each flock on the farm before it is sent to slaughter. Any flock identified as having positive results of testing for either the H5 or H7subtype of influenza A virus will be depopulated and disposed of in a safe, environmentally responsible manner
