The USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) issued updates to its Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) Fall Plan on Jan. 22, according to an APHIS press release.
The updates include additional detail about reimbursement for any virus elimination activities and the results from an August 2015 industry survey on preparedness. APHIS also finalized its vaccination policy, which was previously released as a draft policy. These updates will help APHIS, states, industry and producers to be prepared to address the HPAI virus if it returns this winter or spring.
In the original fall plan, released in September 2015, APHIS outlined its intent to use a flat rate reimbursement for virus elimination activities (cleaning, disinfecting) on infected properties. The updated plan provides greater detail about how flat rate reimbursement will work. APHIS will provide a flat rate to the producer, based upon the type of facility and the number of birds in the flock.
The flat rates are based upon averages and lessons learned during the spring outbreak. They cover the cost of barn preparation, cleaning and heat disinfection. The flat rates are: turkeys, $3.55 per bird; layers, $6.45 per bird and broilers, $1.15 per bird. The broiler rate is an estimate based on industry averages because no broiler flocks were affected in the previous outbreak.
The producer will be able to use the funds provided to do the work themselves or to hire an outside contractor. They can also use the flat rate money to help fund alternate effective virus elimination methods after consultation with APHIS representatives.
The survey on industry preparedness found that the poultry industry has made important efforts in implementing preparedness and response capabilities for future HPAI cases. APHIS is recommending some additional actions, such as increasing the use of premises IDs and having these entered in APHIS' emergency database, which would greatly facilitate response activities.
The finalized vaccination policy updates include:
Clarifying that while USDA will cover the cost of purchasing a vaccine, it will not incur the costs associated with administering the vaccine.
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