Preventing Avian Flu

Preventing Avian Flu (NAPSA)—Here’s encouraging newsfor anyone worried about the Avian influenza virus—American farming techniques may actually prevent the spreadof this disease. Approximately 98 percentof all eggs produced in the U.S. originate from farms with modern cage production systems in housing that protects the flock from migra- te Produced in Compliance with United Egg Producers’Animal Husbandry Guidelines www.uepcertified.com Hens raised in modern cage systems are at lower risk from the Avian flu. tory birds, predators and other diseases. These modern systems also ensure all hensreceive sufficient feed, clean air and water and allows farmers to visually inspect hens daily for any health problems for immediate treatment. Most U.S. egg production facilities also enforce stringent biosecurity measures and strictly limit contact with humans. H5N1 Avian Influenza is spreading in small villages in Southeast Asia where much of the poultry is raised in open fields, allowing migratory birds to come into contact with domestic poultry. According to the American College of Poultry Veterinarians, cage systems such as the ones used by the United Egg Producers Certified program “maintain a much higher health standard for birds which are raised in flocks housed in modern, climate-controlled poultry houses and fed a nutritional formula.”