Bird Flu's Unwelcome Return

By: The Grey Havens
Published On: 7/10/2007 4:31:17 PM

There's bad news for Virginia poultry farmers - very bad news.

The AP is reporting the potential presence of Bird Flu antibodies in a flock of 54,000 turkeys in the Roanoke:

Virginia banned all live poultry sales and shows for the rest of July following the discovery of suspected avian flu antibodies in a flock of 54,000 turkeys on a Shenandoah County farm.

State veterinarian Richard Wilkes issued an order canceling all sales Monday, Elaine Lidholm, a spokeswoman for the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, said Tuesday. The ban remains in effect until July 30.

All live poultry sales are banned through July, and this flock will likely be destroyed.  The last time bird flu struck Virginia, over 5 million birds were destroyed.

Comments



Bird Flu Always Unwelcome (agscribe - 7/10/2007 8:01:16 PM)
Let's not get ahead of ourselves here. Banning live market sales for 3 weeks is merely a precaution, showing that the state is on top of the matter. But it does not mean that the virus has spread. In any case, it's low pathogenic and will not threaten human health at this point and shouldn't have any lasting effect on the poultry industry if it can be contained quickly. We really do have a good rapid response system involving USDA, the industry and the state.
  Jim Webster (agricultural writer, Arlington)


Important to note for those wondering... (SaveElmer - 7/10/2007 11:37:17 PM)
This is not the strain that is present in Southeast Asia that occasionally kills humans...

The danger here is to the poultry industry, not human health...