Tyson Depopulating Chicken Flock Exposed to Low-Pathogenic Avian Flu

SPRINGDALE, Ark. ¯ Tyson Foods is working with the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture and the Arkansas Livestock and Poultry Commission to manage a flock of breeder hens that has been exposed to a low-pathogenic strain of avian influenza (L.P.A.I.), said Gary Mickelson, Tyson spokesman

"Preliminary tests on the flock indicate the presence of antibodies for H7N3 avian influenza, however, there is no indication the birds currently have the virus," he said. "The 15,000 chickens involved show no signs of illness and the situation poses no risk to human health."

The affected birds are at the farm of a contract poultry producer in northwest Arkansas. The discovery was made during a routine, pre-slaughter surveillance conducted by the company. The strain involved is low-pathogenic H7N3 and not the highly pathogenic H5N1 virus that has previously affected birds in Asia, Europe and Africa.

"Even though the affected birds do not currently have the virus, the flock is being depopulated today as a precautionary measure and will not enter the human food chain," Mickelson said by e-mail. "While the birds’ exposure to this strain of avian influenza poses no risk to human health, U.S.D.A.’s policy is to eradicate all H5 and H7 subtypes.

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