Health experts at the University of Minnesota believe High Pathogenic Avian Influenza is now the new reality for producers across the U.S. with some big differences between this outbreak and the last one in 2015.
This outbreak began about one year ago and has shattered records with nearly 60 million birds being culled or dying. More than 300 commercial farms have been hit this time around, significantly more than in 2015.
Backyard flocks have taken a tremendous hit. Only 21 were affected in 2015 while this outbreak has taken out 450.
This time, it has hit 47 states whereas the last time only 15 states were affected. In 2015, less than 100 wild birds were found to be carrying the disease, and this time, it is more than 6,000.
Health experts want every poultry producer in the country to have a proper bio-security plan in place.
