Back to Safety Measures
If an incursion of Asian avian influenza or any highly pathogenic avian influenza is detected in a commercial poultry flock in the United States, the response will be swift and decisive.
H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza
The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) will be the lead responder. The infected flock will be destroyed and a quarantine clamped on the infected farm and its neighbors. Intensive testing and surveillance will be instituted to prevent spread of the virus to other farms.
Other H5 or H7 avian influenza
Under the NCC program, any chicken flock found to be infected with any type of H5 or H7 avian influenza, even the mild or "low-pathogenic" forms, will be destroyed on the farm and will not enter the food supply in any way. Quarantine and surveillance procedures will be instituted and neighboring farms tested. The quarantine will remain until the area is clear of AI for at least 30 days.
