The type of avian influenza (highly pathogenic H5N1) currently found in Asia has no history in the United States.
It's currently limited to Vietnam and other Asian countries.
Biosecurity is a major priority for our company. For example, chickens raised for our North American processing operations are housed in modern, enclosed facilities, which prevent contact with wild birds and other potential carriers of disease. By contrast, most chickens and ducks raised in Asia are allowed to run free with little separation from the environment.
We also take other biosecurity measures to protect bird health such as all-in, all-out farming, which involves moving same-age birds in and out of production houses as one group or flock. We also require the use of protective clothing when people visit poultry farms, to prevent the spread of disease.
Tyson Foods poultry health and occupational health experts have had an ongoing program in recent years to keep our growers and our live production team members informed of appropriate and effective biosecurity and disease prevention measures.
Were constantly monitoring our flocks for the presence of disease; including avian influenza. While Asias focus is on highly pathogenic H5N1, there are other strains of avian influenza that can affect poultry. While these other forms are not common in commercial poultry production, they do appear occasionally. When this happens, the poultry industry works cooperatively with federal, state and local authorities to contain and eradicate the disease.