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1. Bird flu crisis slows in Minnesota, focus now on recovery
By Associated Press
WDAZ.com
May 22, 2015
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - Minnesota has notched six straight days without a new bird flu case. And though state officials aren't ready to say the outbreak is over, they're beginning to stand down.
The first case in the Midwest was confirmed in March at a Minnesota turkey farm, and the virus then spread to 88 farms in the top turkey producing state. But new cases have fallen off sharply and the focus is turning toward getting farms back into production.
To be sure, the disease remains a threat. Iowa, the chief egg producer in the U.S., has reported several new probable cases this week.
But things have settled down enough that Minnesota's Board of Animal Health stopped issuing daily updates unless it has new cases. And federal personnel assigned to the state have fallen.
Source:
http://www.wdaz.com/news/3750543-bird-flu-crisis-slows-minnesota-focus-now-recovery
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2. USDA Confirms More Highly Pathogenic H5N2 Avian Influenza in Two Flocks in Iowa
USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Bulletin
May 22, 2015
WASHINGTON - The United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has confirmed the presence of highly pathogenic H5N2 avian influenza (HPAI) in two additional flocks in Iowa. No human infections with the virus have been detected at this time. CDC considers the risk to people from these HPAI H5 infections in wild birds, backyard flocks and commercial poultry, to be low.
USDA's National Veterinary Services Laboratories confirmed HPAI H5N2 in the following counties and states:
Calhoun County, Iowa (May 21, 2015)
14,400 turkeys
Sac County, Iowa (May 21, 2015)
100,000 turkeys
6th detection in this county
Full text:
http://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/USDAAPHIS/bulletins/105b71c
See Also:
Third large flock bird flu report in Nebraska
Flock is close to initial case reported to NDA
KOTAtv.com
May 22, 2015
DIXON COUNTY, Nebraska - The Nebraska Department of Agriculture reports preliminary testing shows the presence of a third case of highly pathogenic H5N2 avian influenza in Dixon County.
The third farm is within a mile of the initial farm identified last week and is owned by the same operator.
The most recent flock found to have contracted the virus has 500,000 young hens. The two other flocks announced to have been infected last week collectively have 3.5 million laying hens.
"These farms are in close proximity to each other so this finding, while unfortunate, is not unexpected," said NDA Director Greg Ibach. "We continue to receive great support from our federal, state and local partners, as well as from the operator, as we work to control the spread of the virus."
All three sites are under quarantine, a perimeter has been established around each facility, and the birds are being depopulated. Under the USDA protocol, NDA is visiting all locations that have poultry within a 6.2 mile radius of Dixon 3 to conduct testing. Due to the proximity of Dixon 3 to the other facilities, the 6.2 mile radius overlaps significantly.
Full text:
http://www.kotatv.com/news/nebraska-news/3rd-large-flock-bird-flu-report-in-Nebraska/33175370
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3. Second Case of Vesicular Stomatitis in Texas Detected in Horses in Reeves County
Texas Animal Health Commission News Release
May 22, 2015
The second case of Vesicular stomatitis (VS) in the State has been confirmed in horses in Reeves County, near Orla, Texas (West Texas). This is the first case of VS in Reeves County this year.
On May 19, 2015, the Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC) announced the State's first case of VS involving three horses in Pecos County.
The newly identified infected premises is currently under quarantine by the TAHC. Affected horses will be monitored by regulatory personnel until all lesions have healed and a decision is made to release the quarantine (a minimum of 14 days). There is no known exposure to other horses around the state, or at any equine events. It is believed that the virus overwinters in the sand and black fly population in northern Mexico and then moves northward in warmer weather.
Full text:
http://www.tahc.state.tx.us/news/pr/2015/2015-05-22_VesicularStomatitisUpdate.pdf
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4. W.Va. Ag Commissioner Halts Poultry Sales Due to Avian Flu Concerns
By: WSAZ News Staff
WSAZ.com
May 22, 2015
CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Live poultry exhibits, sales and swap meets have been banned in West Virginia as a precaution related to the avian flu outbreak that has affected much of the US.
As of May 21, more than 40 million domestic birds have been affected by the AI outbreak. Three strains are currently circulating in the U.S. - H5N8, H5N2 and H5N1 - none of which are considered human health threats. Any viruses would be killed by cooking poultry to 165 degrees Fahrenheit regardless.
West Virginia Commission of Agriculture Walt Helmick said, "There has been no sign of AI in this state, but we believe this ban is a necessary precaution to protect our valuable poultry industries."
West Virginia's broiler, or meat chicken, industry is centered in the Eastern Panhandle, near the Pilgrim's Pride processing plant in Moorefield. The West Virginia Department of Agriculture (WVDA) tests every commercial flock for AI before they are moved for processing, ensuring that sick birds are not being trucked past other poultry farms in the region.
Full text: http://tinyurl.com/n48ao9x
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5. Vilsack talks about what's next in bird flu outbreak response
KETV.com
May 23, 2015
DES MOINES, Iowa -U.S. Agriculture Sec. Tom Vilsack outlined the USDA's top priorities to combat the avian flu outbreak.
Right now, 63 Iowa farms have been affected, and more than 25.5 million birds are dead, dying or scheduled to be euthanized. Vilsack said more than 1,000 people are working on the outbreak in the 20 states that are affected.
Vilsack said that his top priorities are identifying the problem as soon as it occurs, containing it so the virus doesn't spread to others farms and then working with the producers to reimburse them for their loses.
"We are seeing a decline in the number of instances here in Iowa and hopefully with warmer weather we will see a marked decline, but we are then going to use the next couple of months to figure out what the lessons were that we learned and so we're prepared if this thing reasserts itself in the fall," said Vilsack.
Full text:
http://www.ketv.com/health/vilsack-talks-about-whats-next-in-bird-flu-outbreak-response/33186356
See Also:
Vilsack says millions of infected birds to be incinerated
By Levi Ismail
KIMT.com
May 24, 2015
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) - U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack says millions of Iowa birds killed or destroyed in the wake of a bird flu outbreak should be disposed of or incinerated within the next week.
The dead birds are piling up at poultry facilities. Vilsack - a former Iowa governor - told the Des Moines Register on Friday that the disposal by next week will happen barring another large outbreak.
Full text:
http://kimt.com/2015/05/24/vilsack-says-millions-of-infected-birds-to-be-incinerated/
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6. Vaccines developed for H5N1, H7N9 avian influenza strains
Midwest Producer
May 20, 2015
MANHATTAN, Kan. - A recent study with Kansas State University researchers details vaccine development for two new strains of avian influenza that can be transmitted from poultry to humans. The strains have led to the culling of millions of commercial chickens and turkeys as well as the death of hundreds of people.
The new vaccine development method is expected to help researchers make vaccines for emerging strains of avian influenza more quickly. This could reduce the number and intensity of large-scale outbreaks at poultry farms as well as curb human transmission.
It also may lead to new influenza vaccines for pigs, and novel vaccines for sheep and other livestock, said J�rgen Richt, Regents distinguished professor of veterinary medicine and director of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Center of Excellence for Emerging and Zoonotic Animal Diseases.
Full text: http://tinyurl.com/l95bw4s
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7. Walmart's new animal welfare position
By JoAnn Alumbaugh
PorkNetwork.com
May 22, 2015
Walmart U.S. and Sam's Club U.S. just announced new positions on animal welfare and the responsible use of antibiotics in farm animals. It recognizes the increased awareness of and desire by consumers to know more about how food is produced, but it also recognizes that changes cannot be made efficiently and economically overnight.
"Walmart is committed to selling products that sustain people and the environment," said Kathleen McLaughlin, president of the Walmart Foundation and senior vice president of Walmart sustainability in the company's news release on Friday, May 22. "We have listened to our customers, and are asking our suppliers to engage in improved reporting standards and transparency measures regarding the treatment of farm animals."
Highlights Walmart's animal welfare and antibiotics positions include the following:
Humane Treatment of Farm Animals: As part of the company's animal welfare position statement, it said, "Walmart will not tolerate animal abuse, supports the globally recognized 'Five Freedoms' of animal welfare, and is committed to working with supply chain partners to implement practices consistent with the Five Freedoms.
Full text:
http://www.porknetwork.com/news/alumbaugh-walmart%E2%80%99s-new-animal-welfare-position
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