Avian Influenza (AI), more commonly referred to as “bird flu,” is a disease that has spread across Asia and parts ofEurope and Africa. The Agriculture Department, AFBF and other health and agricultural organizations are monitoring the spread of AI.

Modern commercial poultry operations in the United States are designed to ensure the safety and security of chickens and turkeys and prevent their exposure to outside viruses such as AI. Growers and workers are trained to minimize risking the birds’ health through a series of steps that often includes wearing special clothing, washing off trucks and equipment and agreeing to not keep birds of any kind at home.

Americans should be assured that the meat and eggs sold to groceries and restaurants are healthy and safe to eat, but consumers always should remember to follow proper handling and cooking procedures.

In addition, it may interest you to know the chicken industry consists of vertically integrated companies that produce, process and market chickens and chicken products, with a value of wholesale shipments of around $25 billion (estimated retail value $38 billion), according to the National Chicken Council. The total value of turkey processors’ production is around $8 billion, according to the National Turkey Federation.

According to the Agriculture Department, the overall value of poultry and egg production in the United States hovers around $29 billion annually. In 2005, this included $21 billion in broilers, $4 billion in eggs, $3.2 billion in turkeys and $64 million in chickens.