BREAKING NEWS
US Undercounts Bird Flu Outbreak, Cattle Farmers Shun Testing Amid Economic Concerns
Date: August 15, 2024
Source: Reuters
The United States is undercounting the number of bird flu outbreaks on farms, as cattle farmers are reluctant to test their flocks due to concerns over the economic impact of culling their herds, according to a new report.
The report, published in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, found that the US Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) surveillance program for avian influenza (AI) is incomplete and may not accurately reflect the true extent of the outbreak.
Researchers from the University of California, Davis, analyzed data from the USDA’s AI surveillance program and found that many farmers were not reporting outbreaks or testing their flocks due to concerns over the cost of culling their herds and the potential impact on their businesses.
"We found that many farmers were not reporting outbreaks or testing their flocks, which suggests that the true extent of the outbreak may be much larger than what is currently reported," said Dr. Christine Baer, a co-author of the study and a veterinarian at the University of California, Davis.
The bird flu outbreak, also known as avian influenza, has been spreading rapidly across the United States, with cases reported in 34 states. The virus is highly contagious and can be deadly to birds, as well as humans who come into contact with infected birds.
The USDA has been working to contain the outbreak by testing flocks and culling infected birds, but the study suggests that the agency’s efforts may be hampered by the lack of accurate data.
"This study highlights the importance of accurate data in understanding and controlling the spread of avian influenza," said Dr. Baer. "Without accurate data, it is difficult to make informed decisions about how to contain the outbreak and protect public health."
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