15,000 Arkansas Hens Exposed To Bird Flu

(AP)  Tyson Foods Inc. has begun killing and burying the carcasses of 15,000 hens in northwest Arkansas that tested positive for exposure to a strain of the avian flu that is not harmful to humans, state officials said Tuesday.

Jon Fitch, director of the state's Livestock and Poultry Commission, said routine blood tests conducted Friday found the possible exposure. Further tests done by the state and the U.S. Department of Agriculture found the birds did not have active infections, but rather were exposed to a subtype of the disease.

Fitch said the company immediately began disposing of the birds.

"There is absolutely no human health threat," Fitch said. "But we take this very seriously."

Fitch said state officials decided against announcing the infection to the general public because the birds tested positive for exposure to the H7N3 strain of the virus. The strain that ravaged Asian poultry stocks in late 2003 was H5N1 bird flu virus. That version of the virus has killed 240 people worldwide and scientists worry it could mutate into a form that spreads easily among people.

Gary Mickelson, a spokesman for Springdale-based Tyson, said the hens showed no signs of sickness before their pre-slaughter blood tests. He said the exposed birds all came from a contractor.

"As a preventive measure, Tyson is also stepping up its surveillance of avian influenza in the area," Mickelson said in a statement. "The company plans to test all breeder farms that serve the local Tyson poultry complex, as well as any farms within a 10-mile radius of the affected farm."

Matt DeCample, a spokesman for Gov. Mike Beebe, said the governor was alerted about the tests Monday.

Stock in Tyson, the world's largest meat producer, fell by 8 percent in trading Tuesday, down $1.47 to $16.98 per share.

[zett5]

A couple of weeks ago - I was hospitalized with Campylobacter - an infection found in chickens. Wonder if this is all related? In fact - I was contacted by our Health Dept. - the hospital had to report it - and in turn it would be reported to the CDC. There was an investigation into it and other people who ate the same thing as I did, were contacted. Campylobacter is not a fun infection to have - I have never felt so bad in my life.

[zett5]

A couple of weeks ago - I was hospitalized with Campylobacter - an infection found in chickens. Wonder if this is all related? In fact - I was contacted by our Health Dept. - the hospital had to report it - and in turn it would be reported to the CDC. There was an investigation into it and other people who ate the same thing as I did, were contacted. Campylobacter is not a fun infection to have - I have never felt so bad in my life.

[mexinvasion]

Woman buys a chicken at the grocery store. While she is putting her groceries in the van, the chicken jumps out, hits her, pulls her into the van, and rapes her. When she reports it to the police, the detective says "Sorry, mam, that was another one of them Tyson chickens."

[lewiston14]

Im not going to target a small bird supply farm operation. Tyson could processes 15,000 birds in a 1/2 hour. Wonder how many got through?

[maba7]

What do you mean "farmers". This is Agribusiness. Did you not see the number of hens for just this one operation-15,000, and this is just one of many.

Small operations with real farmers now find it nearly impossible to compete with the gigantic conglomerate livestock and poultry operations.

[justdepalma]

Actually, this is a shock, but the government officials in Arkansas are lying. Read about the cdc article at http://michigananimals.blogspot.com/2008/06/liar-liar-pants-on-fire.html

[msay3]

"Tyson Foods Has Started Killing, Burying Carcasses"

Yet somehow I suspect they will wind up on your table anyway.

Posted by brianbwb at 06:00 AM : Jun 04, 2008
-------------------------------------
That wouldn''t surprise me...Probably in the form of hot dogs....

[brianbwb-2009]

"Tyson Foods Has Started Killing, Burying Carcasses"

Yet somehow I suspect they will wind up on your table anyway.

[slim1h2o]

drinuk at 05:43 AM : Jun 04, 2008

Yup,, I think you are right. As I was reading this story, I was thinking how did this bird flu skip over the entire country, and end up in Arkansas? Presumably this came from another country, didn''t have it till now. Something''s up.

But I think you gave me my answer, Big Pharma!

[drinuk]

This is yet ANOTHER BIG PHARMA Scam story. In two weeks time the FDA will now want want every child vaccinated with untested junk like Tamiflu which does not work and will leave one or another dreadful side effect.