USDA raises awareness of bird flu among backyard chickens
Officials want to prevent an outbreak of avian flu in Georgia. Department of Agriculture Commissioner Gary Black said poultry production is a $28 billion industry in the state and employs more than 100,000 people.
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While bird flu is mainly concentrated in avian populations, as the name suggests, there are exceptions, and the latest outbreak has led to the first case of a human contracting the disease from a mammal.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) says there has been a significant increase in the number of backyard chicken and turkey owners, who might not be as knowledgeable about the best poultry hygiene practices.
Dr. Katy Burden, a Veterinary Medical Officer with USDA’s Poultry Health Team, joined “All Things Considered” to share some recommendations for keeping a flock healthy.
Dr. Burden said more than 10 million households in the U.S. have backyard poultry, and more than 1,100 flocks have been infected since this outbreak began in 2022; more than 600 human cases were from backyard farmers.
Christopher Alston contributed to this report.
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