Highly Pathogenic Strain Of Avian Flu Hits The United States

Apr 21, 2015

Two strains of highly pathogenic avian influenza have been identified in the U.S., with a number of cases being reported in the Pacific Northwest and the northern Midwest regions of the country.

While it’s important to note that there are no cases reported in the northeastern part of the country, an outbreak could have a severe impact on New Hampshire’s poultry industry, and UNH Cooperative Extension field specialists are encouraging flock owners to be on the lookout for signs of the disease.

In the meantime, following good biosecurity practices will prevent the spread of disease and result in better flock health. The U.S. Department of Agriculture has a fact sheet with some effective, common-sense recommendations.

Signs of avian influenza include respiratory symptoms (e.g. coughing, wheezing), loss of appetite, unexplained drops in egg production, swollen combs, red, runny eyes, and sudden death. Flock owners are urged to report any unusual or unexpected illness or death to the New Hampshire State Veterinarian’s office at (603) 271-2404.

Source:unh.edu

Video: What Really Drives Meat Quality in Pork? - Dr. Yan Huang

In this episode of The Swine it Podcast Show Canada, Dr. Yan Huang from University of Arkansas explores how genetics, nutrition, and stress management shape pork quality. He explains how molecular pathways influence fat deposition, muscle growth, and meat flavor while balancing production efficiency. Listen now on all major platforms!

"The most important driver of pork quality. Feed plays a very important role in the meat quality."

Meet the guest: Dr. Yan Huang / yan-huang-77829421 is an Associate Professor in Nutritional Skeletal Muscle Biology at the University of Arkansas. With academic experience across China, South Korea, and the United States, his work focuses on the genetic and molecular regulation of muscle growth and fat deposition in swine. His research connects genetics, nutrition, and pork quality to improve production efficiency and consumer satisfaction.