La. poultry producers keep wary eye on bird flu

Northeastern Louisiana poultry producers are on alert as an outbreak of bird flu in the Midwest has cost chicken and turkey farmers more than 13 million birds since early March.

“When you’re in the poultry business, you definitely don’t want to see the bird flu,” said Nathan Futch, who with his brother operates six chicken houses in Union Parish under a contract with Foster Farms. “We’ve got to keep it out of here.”

Though no cases have been reported in Louisiana, the H5N2 virus that has been reported in 10 states has the attention of Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain.

“We are concerned and we’re closely monitoring the virus’ path,” he said. “It can be devastating.”

The virus is carried by more than 100 species of wild birds and can be left behind by feces and feathers.

“The biggest danger is to backyard flocks of chickens or turkeys, where they are more susceptible to being exposed or intermingle with wild birds,” Strain said.

The United States Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service confirmed the presence of H5N2 avian influenza Monday in six more flocks in Iowa, North Dakota, Wisconsin and Minnesota. No human infections with the virus have been detected.

Though it’s possible for the virus to transfer to humans, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention considers the risk to people to be low.

Futch said Foster Farms keeps its growers informed about the latest new on bird flu and the best methods of prevention.

“We get bulletins and updates,” he said. “There are some pretty strict guidelines.”

Thomas and Marilyn Wade have been producing poultry for 38 years.

Thomas Wade said the couple doesn’t allow visitors to the farm and meets all of Foster Farms’ precautionary standards.

“It’s a concern, of course, but not a big one,” said Wade, who operates eight chicken houses.

Wade, Futch and Strain said there is less danger to commercial flocks because they are raised in enclosed houses.

“I feel confident they’re better protected inside the houses,” Futch said.

USDA Chief Veterinary Officer Dr. John Clifford has said it’s not entirely clear how the virus gets into commercial barns, which are mostly enclosed, but there are likely several ways.

In some cases, the virus may enter on clothing or shoes of workers, although commercial operations have strict biosecurity guidelines for changing clothes and disinfecting items. Clifford also speculated wind could be carrying the virus in on dirt particles or feathers through barn ventilation openings.

Officials are exploring all possibilities in an effort to identify and eliminate identified pathways, Clifford told the Associated Press.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Follow Greg Hilburn on Twitter @GregHilburn1