Bird Flu Case Puts Poultry Farms In North Carolina And The US On High Alert
EAGLE GROVE, IA - MAY 17: No trespassing signs are posted on the edge of a field at a farm operated by Daybreak Foods which has been designated "bio security area" on May 17, 2015 near Eagle Grove, Iowa. Daybreak Foods is one of several large-scale commercial poultry facilities is Iowa reported to have been hit with a highly pathogenic strain of avian influenza which has forced poultry producers to kill off millions of birds in an attempt to stifle the spread of the illness. A road leading up to the front of the farm has been closed to outside traffic with a checkpoint established.
Chicken and turkey farms are on high alert following a report of a recent bird flu outbreak. It was announced on February 9 that an Indiana turkey flock was infected with the virus. All 29 thousand turkeys were killed in an attempt to stop the virus. The bird flu outbreak of 2015 killed 50 million birds across the U.S. As a result farms in North Carolina, as well as those across the country, are fearing a repeat. The outbreak cost the federal government almost $1 billion.
After the previous experience, however, farmers hope they are better prepared to prevent an outbreak. Keep in mind that prices for eggs, turkey, and chicken could rise and products could become scarce if birds at enough farms were to be infected.
Melanie Day is a graduate of North Carolina State University. She has worked for Beasley since 2012 in a variety of behind-the-scenes roles in both digital and promotions. Melanie writes about a diverse range of topics some of her favorites include travel, restaurants, Taylor Swift, and college athletics. When not at work you'll find her at a country concert or NC State sporting event.
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