As H5N1 influenza, or bird flu, continues to threaten U.S. poultry and egg production, the Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research (FFAR) and Entomol Products are testing an innovative, plant-based approach to reduce transmission of the disease.
Using a $448,940 Rapid Outcomes from Agricultural Research (ROAR) grant, researchers are determining whether intermittently fogging or misting hydrogenated catmint oil (HCO), a product with demonstrated antiviral properties, in poultry housing can interrupt transmission of avian influenza viruses.
Avian influenza has severe economic consequences for the U.S. poultry and egg industries. The virus spreads rapidly among birds and leads to mass depopulation of infected flocks. This influenza virus is classified as high or low pathogenic avian influenza based on how it affects poultry. Highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses cause severe disease and high mortality in infected poultry, while low pathogenic avian influenza is a mild or asymptomatic viral infection.
“Producers need practical solutions to reduce avian influenza transmission that work with existing infrastructure to protect their flocks and limit losses,” said Jasmine Bruno, FFAR scientific program director. “As fogging is a widely used practice in poultry houses, we want to know if it’s a promising mechanism for protecting birds.”
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