After confirming the presence of highly pathogenic avian flu in a flock of chickens, nearly 48,000 birds were killed at a north Alabama farm, state agriculture officials said.
A Marshall County commercial pullet farm — one that raises chicks from hatching until they are ready to produce eggs when they are moved to a laying barn — was placed under quarantine after samples were confirmed positive for HPAI, the Alabama Department of Agriculture & Industries announced Friday.
HPAI is highly contagious to birds but considered low risk to humans and the virus is not considered a threat to food safety, the department said.
Many folks could reduce meat consumption now as well to mitigate the damages.
Americans have developed a norm of every meal needing meat, when for much of history it was a few times per week.