The U.S. Department of Agriculture has reported that it has detected the H5N2 strain of avian influenza in a wild mallard duck in a state refuge in Fairbanks, Alaska. The H5N2 strain led to the loss of about 50 million U.S. turkeys and chickens in 15 different states last year. The H5NS strain has not been found in any wild birds or poultry since June 2015, according to USDA.
USDA made the discovery as a result of routine surveillance tests, including approximately 45,500 samples collected. Following the discovery, USDA recommended that all farmers and companies involved in poultry production review their protocols for cleaning and biosecurity to assure the health of their birds.
Last year’s outbreak cost poultry exporters millions of dollars in lost business as trading partners halted or limited U.S. exports from states and counties with infected flocks. Some countries, such as China, halted all imports of U.S. poultry. The 2015 outbreak also sent U.S. egg prices to record highs and tightened supplies of turkey meat.
Scientists believe that the 2015 H5N2 outbreak was caused by droppings and of migrating wild ducks and geese as they flew across the United States. It is thought that the Eurasian strain of the virus began to mix with the American strain, creating the deadly H5N2 strain.
