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USDA Identifies New Bird Flu Cases In Pennsylvania, Utah

USDA Identifies New Bird Flu Cases In Pennsylvania, Utah

New cases of bird flu have been detected in a commercial chicken flock in Pennsylvania and a backyard flock in Utah, the U.S. Department of Agriculture said Saturday, in what is one of the worst outbreaks in the country's history.

Avian influenza has affected more than 24 million wild, commercial and backyard birds since mid-January and the virus is pushing the price of eggs and poultry higher. The price of processed eggs, used in liquid or powered form in everything from cake batter to chips, has soared to record highs and is adding to  for a wide-range of food brands on top of existing inflationary pressure.

Farmers in the Midwest, where much of the nation's egg and poultry supply is located, have been hit particularly hard. The latest cases were found in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania and in Utah County, Utah, the USDA said.

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New discovery may lead to better vaccines for pork producers

Video: New discovery may lead to better vaccines for pork producers



Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) causes severe disease in pigs, leading to significant economic losses for pork producers across the globe. It’s estimated that PRRS costs the Canadian pork industry $130M annually. Using the CMCF beamline, researchers from the University of Manitoba and the Leiden University Medical Centre (Netherlands) were able to see the structure of the PRRSV protease, a type of protein the pathogen uses to suppress a host’s immune system. The vital information they uncovered can be used to develop new vaccines against PRRSV and also helps inform development of vaccines against emerging human viruses.