6 avian influenza updates for the week ending August 20

Avian influenza remains a topic of widespread interest in the global poultry industry. Here are 6 avian influenza news developments to know:

1. USDA seeking avian influenza vaccine stockpile – The USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is issuing a request for proposal to vaccine manufacturing companies to have avian influenza vaccines produced to protect poultry from future avian flu outbreaks. The vaccines would be kept on hand in the National Veterinary Stockpile.
2. Avian influenza hits Iowa economy hard – Avian influenza’s economic impact on Iowa has been harsh. The outbreak of 2015 has cost the state $427 million and 8,500 jobs, according to a study commissioned by the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation.
3. Avian flu hits Hormel profits – Jennie-O Turkey Store, hit by avian influenza infections at its farms, experienced a 45 percent decline in operating profit and a 12 percent drop in sales during the third quarter of fiscal year 2015. Despite that, Jennie-O’s parent company, Hormel Foods, saw its net earnings for the third quarter increase 6 percent.
4. Canada lifts some avian flu-related trade restrictions – Canada lifted its ban on imports of uncooked poultry and eggs from Arkansas and Montana, as the states appear to now be free of avian influenza.
5. Layer farm hit by avian flu in Mexico -- A low pathogenic strain of H5N2 avian influenza was detected in a commercial layer operation in El Rosario, in the Mexican state of Sinaloa. An estimated 433,093 chickens were susceptible.
6. Utility workers advised to be mindful of avian flu -- The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) is urging workers and drivers to practice biosecurity measures when operating on or near poultry farms to prevent the spread of avian influenza, should it enter the state.