USPOULTRY and the USPOULTRY Foundation are accepting research proproposals from colleges, universities and research facilities through Nov. 1, on further understanding highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI).
Since the HPAI outbreak began in early February 2022, thousands of cases have been reported in both commercial poultry and backyard flocks, leading to the loss of millions of birds. The H5N1 strain has affected domestic and backyard flocks across 48 states, impacting farmers and communities nationwide. Additionally, the virus has been transmitted to commercial dairy cattle, and several human infections have been reported.
While previous HPAI outbreaks have enhanced understanding of the virus and led to significant advancements in biosecurity and disease response protocols, key questions remain regarding biosecurity, depopulation, disposal and repopulation. This initiative aims to deepen understanding of how to prevent HPAI’s introduction to commercial facilities, reduce spread, and improve response strategies. The goal is to assist the industry in minimizing the impact of HPAI during the current outbreak and in preparing for potential future occurrences. Read more