Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) was the hot topic of discussion at the United Egg Producers (UEP) Committee Briefings and Board Meeting on January 29, 2024, in Atlanta, Georgia.
The U.S. poultry industry lost a record number of birds to the HPAI outbreaks in commercial poultry operations in 2014-2015. Poultry producers ramped up structural and operational biosecurity for their operations in response and procedures for rapid response to outbreaks were fine tuned so that affected flocks can be euthanized and deposed of in a manner that is quick and safe. Despite these efforts, the HPAI outbreaks in the U.S. and Europe in 2022-2023 resulted in even greater bird losses. Stamping out efforts and heightened biosecurity are not eliminating outbreaks in commercial poultry. Read more