The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) today issued a report on planning and preparations for highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in advance of a potential recurrence of the disease when birds migrate south this fall.
APHIS’ planning activities incorporated the agency’s experience from this year’s response effort; its epidemiologic studies; and extensive feedback and input gathered from state partners, industry, academia and other stakeholders, APHIS said in a press release unveiling the plan.
The Fall 2015 HPAI Influenza Preparedness and Response Plan organizes information on preparatory activities, policy decisions and updated strategy documents into four key areas:
- preventing or reducing future outbreaks;
- enhancing preparedness;
- improving and streamlining response capabilities; and,
- preparing for the potential use of AI vaccines.
The APHIS report also includes an updated biosecurity self-assessment for the poultry industry; streamlined and updated procedures for providing indemnity and other payments; a draft vaccine use strategy; and additional items of interest to agency’s stakeholders.
The National Chicken Council on August 28 released its top biosecurity principles for broiler and broiler-breeder producers to prepare for the potential reemergence of HPAI in the fall.
A copy of the Fall 2015 HPAI Influenza Preparedness and Response Plan and supporting documents are available on the APHIS website at https://www.aphis.usda.gov/animal-health/aiupdates.
“APHIS is keenly aware of the significant impact the spring outbreak has had on all parties—poultry producers, allied industries, federal and state governments, and the American consumer. As we near the beginning of the fall season, APHIS is confident that its surveillance programs in commercial and wild birds, which are the strongest in the world, will enable us to detect the disease early. If HPAI should reappear in the coming months, APHIS is ready to respond and committed to helping those affected by the disease,” APHIS said.
