The bird flu is wreaking damage in the Midwest, particularly at poultry farms.
For example, in Iowa, the avian flu has claimed more than five million chickens.
Here in Wisconsin, Gov. Scott Walker has declared a state of emergency. According to the state's agriculture department, poultry farmers have had to destroy more than 300,000 birds.
Raechelle Cline wants to make one thing clear: the avian flu has no impact on public health.
“Chicken and poultry is safe to eat as long as the poultry meat and eggs are properly cooked and properly handled," she says.
Cline works for Wisconsin’s Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer protection. She says it’s also doubtful that the virus would infiltrate the food supply.
“It’s very unlikely that any of these chickens or turkeys will live long enough to make it into the food supply,” Cline says.
Cline says poultry farmers have been regularly monitoring and testing their flocks for signs of avian flu. She cautions people with backyard chicken coops to also be vigilant.
“We are asking people to try to restrict access to their birds from wild birds. We’re asking people to wash their hands before and after handling their poultry. Cleaning and disinfecting cages and equipment is an important step,” Cline says.
One person taking precautions is Marie Parker. She owns Manderley Bed and Breakfast on Milwaukee’s west side. She raises four chickens in a giant coop out back and serves their eggs to customers. Parker says she’s been keeping a close eye on her chickens.
“When you have chickens you get to know what their bird poop looks like and signs of illness and you check them for little bird bugs and give them good areas to do their dust bath in,” Parker says.
Parker says she’s also been freshening her chickens’ water every day – rather than every two or three days, and she recently put a cover over her coop to keep out wild birds.
Susan Quam is executive vice president of the Wisconsin Restaurant Association. She thinks the state is doing a good job keeping the virus contained, but fears the industry could see an uptick in costs.
“I am concerned that we will see some price increases for restaurant operators. Consumers will probably see the same thing in the grocery stores and that will obviously affect issues within the industry from a profitability standpoint,” Quam says.
Yet Quam doesn’t think the outbreak will have a long-lasting impact, because authorities are moving so quickly to control the spread. The current strain of avian flu seems to have originated in Asia.
