Policy sometimes is written without input from people with practical experience. That isn’t the case this go-round with highly pathogenic avian influenza.

The Washington state veterinarian said a course correction was overdue on the virus and the federal policy shift is being driven by poultry producers.

“I love that this effort is being industry led, that industry is telling us what they need to control this disease,” said Amber Itle, who works in the Washington State Department of Agriculture.

After three years of flock depopulations during the current global outbreak, the USDA, veterinarians, academics and producers will focus on tactics such as vaccinations and enhanced biosecurity measures.

“We need to rethink strategy and try something different,” Itle said, adding that farmers are getting weary and stressed from the continued economic strain.

The shift in bird flu mitigation and regulations was already underway before policy was outlined in mid-February and formally announced Feb. 26.

Itle emphasized infected flocks will still be killed so they don’t enter the food chain, but new strategies should reduce the virus’ spread and save birds.

‘The virus isn’t changing’

In the past, pathogenic bird flu strains typically arrived in the U.S. and were eradicated within six months when less virulent mutations emerged. This occurred in 2014-15.

“Right now, we’ve been hanging onto this outbreak for three years. The virus isn’t changing,” Itle said.

The recent outbreak has resulted in the death of more than 166 million birds in commercial and backyard operations in the U.S., according to USDA data. The virus has also killed wild birds and spilled over into mammals.

Facing continued massive economic losses, some ag leaders may look at developing vaccines and extensive biosecurity measures as a less expensive path, Itle said.

Itle said the U.S. is beginning to determine what industry wants for vaccinations and the economic impacts.

Workgroups have formed for producer segments, including layers, broilers and turkeys.

Tactics could differ for segments and regions, where farmers in areas hit by outbreaks could opt for vaccinations.

Additional testing and surveillance of birds would be necessary and must show a clear difference between vaccination and infection.

Questions remain about administering potential vaccines, boosters and updates, and whether that could be done in the egg, through feeder water or other mechanisms.

Vaccination does not prevent infection, but rather helps prevent its spread.

“It’s a tool. I don’t think it solves the issue,” Itle said.

Some trading partners may ban vaccinated poultry, but other countries, such as France, are working to vaccinate birds.

Vaccinating cattle also could limit the virus’ spread, Itle said, as nearly 1,000 herds have been infected in the U.S. Export impacts would need to be considered.

Biosecurity measures

New biosecurity measures to prevent HPAI’s spread within operations, such as separating flocks by significant distances, have proven effective and could become part of a general strategy, Itle said.

If certain criteria are met, depopulating all barns on a premise wouldn’t be necessary.

Biosecurity audits prior to restocking and for producers near farms with outbreaks also could help.

But biosecurity has limits by itself, in part because scientists believe HPAI can be aerosolized.

“Some of our best producers in the nation have created state of the art, biosecure facilities but they still get infected,” Itle said.

A coordinated strategy incorporating a range of tactics is most likely to prove successful, Itle said.