Poultry disease goes global
More extensive and intensive production worldwide
means the risks of infectious disease are growing
The major infectious diseases of commercial poultry are truly global. Although the prevalence, virulence and impact of any one pathogen may vary from region to
region, the key diseases are found everywhere. However, that
same regional variation in disease patterns is likely to become
an important factor for international trade as the developing
countries increasingly influence the global market.
According to the Food and Agricultural Organization of
the United Nations (FAO), poultry has been the most dynamic
sector of the global meat industry over the last 10 years,
with production growing by some 35% between 2000 and
2008.1 Driven by increasing demand, particularly from
developing markets such as China, India, Russia and Latin
America, this impressive growth presents great opportunities
but also great challenges.
U.S. poultry producers are well aware that more extensive
and intensive production is associated with increased risk of in-
fectious disease. Despite this, the transition from a fragmented,
independent industry to a highly organized, integrated and
controlled industry has been very successfully achieved in the
U.S. At the same time, we have managed to maintain healthy,
high-performance flocks that are able to produce a very high
output of safe, high-quality products. This transition has been
facilitated by an extensive support network of poultry health,
information and research resources, including veterinary
services, diagnostic laboratories, universities, animal health
companies and government departments. Working along with
individual producers and trade associations, these groups help
to monitor and maintain disease control in the U.S.
