US bird flu case puts chicken, turkey farms on high alert

A severe bird flu outbreak, characterized by the highly pathogenic H5N1 strain, is causing concern among farmers raising chickens and turkeys for meat and eggs, with incidents reported in Indiana, Kentucky, and Virginia. This outbreak, reminiscent of the 2015 disaster that affected 15 states and cost over $1 billion, has sparked fears of price hikes and availability issues for poultry products. In response, the poultry industry and government are implementing stricter biosecurity measures and surveillance, with efforts to quickly contain the spread and prevent a widespread panic. The outbreak, initially detected in wild birds, highlights the need for vigilance and the challenges posed by the virus's propensity to mutate and affect domestic flocks. A total of 32,473 turkeys have been culled in Indiana and Kentucky due to the outbreak, with precautions including quarantines and eradication of infected birds to prevent further spread.