2015 United States H5N2 outbreak

Outbreak of H5N2 avian influenza in the United States in 2015

The 2015 United States H5N2 outbreak was a significant event in the history of avian influenza in the United States, involving the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) virus strain H5N2. This outbreak primarily affected the poultry industry, leading to the culling of millions of birds to prevent the spread of the virus.

Background

Poultry culled during the 2015 bird flu outbreak

Avian influenza, commonly known as bird flu, is an infectious viral disease of birds. Most avian influenza viruses do not infect humans; however, some, such as H5N1 and H7N9, have caused serious infections in people. The H5N2 strain is a subtype of the influenza A virus, which is known to cause illness in birds and has the potential to infect humans.

Outbreak

The outbreak began in December 2014 and continued into 2015, affecting poultry farms across the United States. The virus was first detected in the Pacific Flyway, a major north-south flyway for migratory birds in America. It quickly spread to the Mississippi and Central Flyways, affecting states such as Minnesota, Iowa, and Wisconsin.

Spread and Impact

The H5N2 virus spread rapidly among commercial poultry flocks, leading to the culling of over 48 million birds, including chickens and turkeys. The outbreak had a significant economic impact on the poultry industry, with losses estimated in the billions of dollars. The virus primarily affected egg-laying hens, leading to a sharp increase in egg prices.

Response

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and state agricultural agencies implemented several measures to control the outbreak. These included quarantine, culling of infected and exposed birds, and increased biosecurity measures on farms. The USDA also provided financial assistance to affected farmers.

Prevention and Control

Efforts to prevent future outbreaks focused on improving biosecurity measures, monitoring wild bird populations, and developing vaccines. The outbreak highlighted the need for better surveillance and rapid response strategies to contain avian influenza outbreaks.

Related pages

• Avian influenza
• Influenza A virus subtype H5N1
• Influenza pandemic