18
Apr
USDA Must Take Steps To Prevent an Avian Flu Pandemic
(Beyond Pesticides, April 18, 2022) Industrial poultry operationsâgenerally indoors and with crowded conditionsâprovide the perfect incubator for pandemic influenza. According to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), âThese involve the congregation of large numbers of genetically identical animals of the same age (young) and sex, with rapid turnover and âall-in, all-outâ systems.â The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is delaying the adoption of organic rules that would require meaningful outdoor access and prevent indoor crowding. Influenza pandemics have killed millions of peopleâbetween 20 and 40 million people died in the 1918 pandemic, one million in 1957, and one to three million in 1968. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), âInfluenza type A viruses are of most significance to public health due to their potential to cause an influenza pandemic.â There are several subtypes of type A influenza, which originates in birds. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), there were 700 human cases of the H5N1 subtype since 2003, and only 40% survived. Tell USDA to promulgate a strong Organic Livestock and Poultry Standard. Tell USDA to protect against flu pandemics by applying the same rules to all poultry. Because avian flu poses a risk to […]
