A New Jersey reservoir was recently shut down to the public after dead birds, found to have High-Path Avian Flu, were found nearby.
It is another one of the latest cases in the situation that has been plaguing the ag industry since early 2022.
The temporary closure impacts the 650-acre man-made lake used to cool a nearby power plant. The area is heavily wooded, with a lot of wildlife nearby. APHIS says they are working with local and state authorities to clean up the impacted zone. The CDC is urging everyone to avoid contact with wild birds, especially ones that are dead or appear sick.
Over the last week, several other cases were added out of Ohio at commercial turkey facilities there. More than 40,000 birds were culled as a result of that outbreak. Missouri also saw a big case recently, with more than 1.5 million birds culled at a commercial table egg layer. Despite the cases in poultry and dairy, U.S. health officials stress the food supply remains safe.
To help ease the situation, the Department of Health and Human Services is spending more than $200 million on a vaccine. The Department says it will also help protect against other emerging diseases. They plan to use the money on long-term manufacturing capabilities of an MRNA vaccine platform. Developers say MRNA technology is faster to develop, making it ideal for situations like High-Path Avian Flu.
