A check tube labelled “Bird Flu”, eggs and a bit of paper within the colors of the U.S. nationwide flag are seen on this image illustration, January 14, 2023. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo Acquire Licensing Rights
CHICAGO, Nov 3 (Reuters) – Arkansas, a serious U.S. rooster producer, has reported its first outbreak of deadly avian flu in a industrial poultry flock in a yr, because the nation sees an uptick in instances.
The outbreak is about to broaden export restrictions on U.S. poultry in main producing states as consumers restrict purchases from contaminated areas.
The illness contaminated a flock of 31,600 breeder pullets, or young hens, used to supply meat in Madison County, Arkansas, the U.S. authorities mentioned this week.
Arkansas, the third largest producer of chickens raised for meat, final suffered an outbreak on a industrial farm in October 2022 in the identical county.
Avian flu has worn out greater than 60 million U.S. chickens, turkeys and different birds since 2022 and has unfold to new elements of the world. Cases have a tendency to extend throughout the spring and autumn migration of untamed birds that transmit the virus, and contaminated poultry flocks are culled to stop the illness from spreading.
“We have taken fast motion to include this illness,” Arkansas Agriculture Secretary Wes Ward mentioned.
Alabama, the second largest U.S. producer of chickens for meat, final week confirmed its first outbreak at a industrial farm, in a flock of 296,500 gamebirds, based on the U.S. authorities. Mexico, the most important export marketplace for U.S. rooster, shortly blocked poultry shipments from the contaminated county.
The U.S. in October confirmed its first case of avian flu on any industrial poultry farm since April in South Dakota. Minnesota, the most important U.S. turkey producer, and Iowa reported recent outbreaks as properly.
The World Organization for Animal Health mentioned on Thursday that Mexico reported its first outbreak this season on a farm, only a month after the nation declared it was freed from the illness.
Reporting by Tom Polansek;
Editing by Bill Berkrot
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