What is USDA doing to prevent the introduction of high pathogenicity avian influenza into the United States?
USDA recognizes that HP avian influenza poses a significant threat to animal health and has the potential to threaten human health. Accordingly, USDA has safeguards in place to protect against the introduction of HP avian influenza into the United States. USDA maintains trade restrictions on the importation of poultry and poultry products from countries currently affected by H5N1 HP avian influenza. Detection USDA also works closely with international organizations like the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE), the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), and World Health Organization (WHO) to assist HPAI-affected countries and other neighboring Asian-Pacific countries with disease prevention, management, and eradication activities. By helping these countries prepare for, manage, or eradicate HP avian influenza (H5N1) outbreaks, USDA can reduce the risk of the disease spreading from overseas to the United States. USDA recognizes that prevention is only one part of
