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Avian Influenza (AI), or bird flu, is a naturally occurring disease of the respiratory system among birds caused by a virus. There are many different forms or strains of the disease, ranging from low to highly pathogenic.
One highly pathogenic strain of this disease, H5N1, has been known to affect humans. This virus has been found in Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and Europe. We do not have this H5N1 strain in the United States and to date have never had it.
Many of the human cases of AI have been caused by close contact between infected poultry and humans. In these areas birds are kept in "backyard" flocks and sold in live poultry markets. These conditions contribute to the spread of the virus from bird to bird and potentially to humans. In contrast, Townsends and other U.S. poultry producers take the necessary steps to raise birds in controlled environments to prevent potential exposure to diseases.
Additionally, all Townsend flocks are tested for Avian Influenza prior to processing. These tests follow the guidelines established by the National Chicken Council AI Monitoring Program. We also work with federal, state, and local authorities on testing, prevention, and containment programs.
You should not be worried about eating poultry products. There has not been a documented case of human infection from eating poultry, not even in Southeast Asia.
Our company and the nation's poultry industries have been concerned and working on AI prevention programs for years. With the events in foreign countries where some people have become sick, and even died, we have heightened our concerns. Townsends, Inc. participates in the National Chicken Council AI Monitoring Program and also conducts additional testing. We also work with state, university and federal authorities on prevention, testing and proactive programs for containment of an AI break if one occurs in or near the geographical areas where we work or raise our chickens.
AI is a virus than routinely infects migratory waterfowl, but most often does not cause these birds to get sick. To date, with extensive testing, the H5N1 AI virus seen in other foreign countries has not been found in testing of migratory birds and domestic poultry in this country. AI viruses, which have been found, are not of the same type. Constant diligence, testing and modern biosecurity practices are utilized to protect our chickens and to be prepared.
Townsend, Inc. has not been affected by any AI virus to date. However, if such an occurrence happens we will aggressively contain it, protect our employees, our chickens and our customers. Our AI testing and control programs are coordinated with state and federal agencies and we are knowledgeable and share information concerning AI occurrences nationwide and worldwide.
For additional information regarding AI, please visit the following website links: