4 avian flu updates for the week ending September 10

Avian influenza continues to be a major concern for the global poultry industry. Here are four news developments concerning the virus that you should know:
1. Avian influenza hits Minnesota economy hard – The economic impact the 2015 avian influenza outbreak had on Minnesota is estimated at more than $650 million, according to Rep. Collin Peterson, D-Minnesota, the ranking member of the House Agriculture Committee.
2. Canada lifts some bans on U.S. poultry – Citing that the threat for the spread of avian influenza has passed, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency has lifted its ban on poultry and eggs from Idaho, California, Oregon and Washington. Canada’s bans on U.S. poultry are now limited to Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Kansas and Wisconsin.
3. Nigeria dealing with smuggling amid avian flu worries – Nigeria is dealing with a problem of increased smuggling of poultry. The country’s Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has reported six new cases of H5N1 avian influenza. Despite that, officials in the country assure that the poultry supply in the country is sufficient, and that there is no need for importing or smuggling of poultry.
4. Hong Kong bans poultry from Vietnam’s Ninh Thuan province – With the discovery of avian influenza in the Ninh Thuan province of Vietnam, Hong Kong has banned the import of poultry and eggs from that province.