Bird flu may be dangerous to California poultry, but there may be something worse

Avian Influenza has put much of the world on edge because of the possibility of a pandemic that could kill millions of people.” The possibility of bird flu infecting U.S. poultry has some worried, especially in California; but experts say the state won’t experience disastrous consequences if the flu does infect some poultry. The California state Department of Food and Agriculture told a Senate committee with early detection systems in place, the state’s poultry will be safe.”

Richard Breitmeyer, California’s state veterinarian agrees with the assessment made by the Department Food and Agriculture. “This disease will not hide in our commercial flocks. So the public can be assured their food supply is not going to be threatened by Avian influenza is found in poultry in the United States.” Breitmeyer, however, is a more wary of the crippling and possibly fatal foot and mouth disease which infects cows. “We might have to live with this virus for a while. And we’re not prepared to keep our food systems flowing if that were to occur.” Even though the bird flu — which will likely ?hit California by late summer early fall during migration season ? may not cause the great economic downturn that has hit other areas, experts are watching extra carefully at foot and mouth disease. California produces 23 percent of the nation’s milk. Dairy farmers have taken notice and begun to step up security.”

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