Dive Brief:
- Kansas is yet another state that has recently reported an outbreak of the avian flu, specifically the strain H5N2, this time in a backyard chicken and duck flock.
- The birds are part of a migratory route, known as the central flyaway, that runs through Kansas and other states in the central U.S.
- Kansas officials say birds will be extracted from the route by the quarantine set up for miles around Leavenworth County, the location of the infected property, in an attempt to prevent spreading the disease.
Dive Insight:
This is one of several cases of avian flu reported in just the past couple weeks. Other states have also found poultry farms with infected birds, including Missouri, Arkansas, and Minnesota, which are in the Mississippi flyway, and Pacific flyway states, including Washington, Oregon, and Idaho. According to Reuters, the U.S. government may impose tougher restrictions to contain the outbreak in Arkansas.
Poultry companies have already been affected by the ban, including Tyson Foods Inc. and Pilgrim's Pride Corp., whose stock prices dropped last week. Also, in January, China banned U.S. poultry and egg imports, citing avian flu concerns.