Economic analysis of an outbreak of avian influenza, 1997-1998
Davison, S.; Galligan, D.; Eckert, T.E.; Ziegler, A.F.; Eckroade, R.J.
Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 214(8): 1164-1167
1999
ISSN/ISBN: 0003-1488 PMID: 10212675 Document Number: 501508
To determine economic losses associated with an outbreak of avian influenzavirus H7N2 infection in flocks in Pennsylvania, USA, during 1997 and 1998, 5 premises containing infected layer, pullet and turkey flocks were evaluated. Losses incurred before depopulation, those incurred at the time of depopulation, and those that were attributable to depopulation (unrealized loss of income) were calculated. Extrapolating the costs determined on the basis of age and number of birds from the 5 sample flocks to all other flocks infected with H7N2 virus yielded an estimated total cost to the Pennsylvania poultry industry of $3.5 million. The H7N2 virus is not highly pathogenic. It is concluded that, if the pathogenicity of the virus does not change, then the poultry industry and state and federal governments will not have severe economic losses for the 1997-98 outbreak similar to those for the 1983-84 avian influenza outbreak in Pennsylvania. It is suggested that to decrease the potential for financial losses that could result from future outbreaks of avian influenza, it is essential that the commercial industry and live-bird market system be separated via increased use of biosecurity measures.