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New solutions to combat avian influenza

USDA specialists say the $1 billion investment in Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza offers new solutions to combat the virus.

Dr. Mike Watson with the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service says HPAI has circulated for the past four years and it’s not going away.

“This is where additional biosecurity is going to work and we’re looking for a vaccine that provides sterilizing immunity as well as additional outreach to really understand what’s happening with the virus.”

USDA’s recently announced five-pronged approach includes tackling the problem at a common source: wild birds. Dr. Rosemary Sifford, a deputy administrator with USDA’s Veterinary Services says the extension of a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service pilot program will help farmers find where the virus is reaching poultry and livestock. She says the assessment usually finds a gap in wiring or the foundation that allows birds or rodents into barns.

“Other really common finds are feed spills and standing water near facilities that attract wild birds.”

Sifford says biosecurity audits will continue not only for affected flocks, but poultry that haven’t contracted the virus. 

“Once the producer has the specific biosecurity audit, we’ll work with them to cost-share on correcting the highest risk for introduction that they have on their facility. We’re planning to cost-share up to 75% of those corrective actions.”

She says USDA hasn’t previously cost-shared with producers for corrective actions. The agency is also exploring programs to accelerate depopulation.

USDA will also take request for proposals to develop a vaccine that offers sterilizing immunity for multiple strains of the virus without injections into the birds. And Sifford says USDA will form a vaccine working group of animal health experts to form a strategy and surveillance with trading partners.

USDA says the Commodity Credit Corporation will be used to fund the up to $1 billion investment in long-term and short-term solutions.