The Avian Influenza strain affecting birds in Asia and causing concern over the potential impact on human health is NOT the same as the Avian Influenza that has occasionally affected poultry flocks in the U.S. The Asian bird flu strain has never been found in U.S. poultry flocks, therefore our poultry operations do not present the human health risk that exists in parts of Asia, where poultry are raised in any open environment with no biosecurity and sold in live markets.

Avian Influenza is not a food safety issue because it does not affect the meat.

Even though the strains of Avian Influenza in the U.S. don't represent a public health issue, Avian Influenza is a concern for poultry companies because commercial poultry flocks are susceptible to the disease.

Perdue Farms maintains strict biosecurity procedures covering all aspects of live production and our flock supervisors and regional veterinarians monitor the health of every flock. As part of our standard procedures, Perdue routinely tests any flock as soon as we suspect anything affecting the health of the birds - even if there is no suspicion of Avian Influenza.

In the event of an occurrence of Avian Influenza, Perdue's policy is to work closely with the United States Department of Agriculture, state officials and the industry to take whatever steps are necessary to prevent the spread of the disease.

For more information, visit the USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service website at:
www.aphis.usda.gov/lpa/issues/ai_us/ai_us.html

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