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Background Information - Avian Influenza Testing in Meat-Type Chickens

Last Modified: Jun 27, 2022
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USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) Veterinary Services (VS) works closely with State and commercial industry on programs to monitor and test domestic poultry and wild birds to detect the occurrence of avian influenza (AI). One of these industry partners is the National Chicken Council (NCC), which represents the U.S. broiler industry and conducts rigorous testing for AI. The NCC Avian Influenza Monitoring Plan focuses on extensive private laboratory testing in which every participating company tests all broiler flocks before slaughter; this exceeds the minimum national standards established by USDA for AI surveillance. NCC participating companies represent 98% of the U.S. broiler production. USDA APHIS Veterinary Services collaborates with the NCC to maintain secure data reporting systems that allow NCC testing data to be used in national avian influenza surveillance. The surveillance information provided on these

Web pages regarding avian influenza testing in meat-type chickens results from the collaborative efforts of NCC industry partners and USDA to assure that the commercial poultry industry is providing a safe food supply. This information also demonstrates to international partners that U.S. avian influenza surveillance assures the safety of poultry exports to other countries.    

Number of Meat-type Chicken Flocks Tested Nationally
Quarter
Flocks
Tested
Confirmed Positive Flocks*
January 1 through March 31, 2013 14,009 0
October 1 through December 31, 2012 14,748 0
July 1 through September 30, 2012 16,154 0
April 1 through June 30, 2012 16,732 0
January 1 through March 31, 2012 16,863 0
October 1 through December 31, 2011 16,995 0
July 1 through September 30, 2011 19,299 0
April 1 through June 30, 2011 18,392 0
January 1 through March 31, 2011 19,763 0
October 1 through December 31, 2010 18,464 0
July 1 through September 30, 2010 19,299 0
April 1 through June 30, 2010 20,367 0
January 1 through March 31, 2010 20,809 0
October 1 through December 31, 2009 20,695 0
July 1 through September 30, 2009 23,403 0
April 1 through June 30, 2009 22,296 0
January 1 through March 31, 2009 24,324 0
October 1 through December 31, 2008 26,744 0
July 1 through September 30, 2008 29,341 0
April 1 through
June 30, 2008		 30,735 0
January 1 through
March 31, 2008		 26,859 0
October 1 through
December 30, 2007		 26,103 0
July 1 through
September 30, 2007		 26,573 0
April 1 through
June 30, 2007		 27,124 0
January 1 through
March 31, 2007		 26,507 0
October 1 through       
December 30, 2006		 26,758 0
 

*confirmed positive for avian influenza H5 or H7 subtypes

Background Information - Avian Influenza Testing in Meat-Type Chickens

USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) Veterinary Services (VS) works closely with State and commercial industry on programs to monitor and test domestic poultry and wild birds to detect the occurrence of avian influenza (AI). One of these industry partners is the National Chicken Council (NCC), which represents the U.S. broiler industry and conducts rigorous testing for AI. The NCC Avian Influenza Monitoring Plan focuses on extensive private laboratory testing in which every participating company tests all broiler flocks before slaughter; this exceeds the minimum national standards established by USDA for AI surveillance. NCC participating companies represent 98% of the U.S. broiler production.

USDA APHIS Veterinary Services collaborates with the NCC to maintain secure data reporting systems that allow NCC testing data to be used in national avian influenza surveillance. The surveillance information provided on these Web pages regarding avian influenza testing in meat-type chickens results from the collaborative efforts of NCC industry partners and USDA to assure that the commercial poultry industry is providing a safe food supply. This information also demonstrates to international partners that U.S. avian influenza surveillance assures the safety of poultry exports to other countries.

Questions about these data should be referred to the National Surveillance Unit ( mailto:national.surveillance.unit@aphis.usda.gov).

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