Overview of Bird Flu and Vaccination of Poultry Flocks

The podcast discusses the issue of bird flu in poultry flocks and the importance of vaccination. Poultry, such as turkeys, ducks, and chickens, are highly susceptible to respiratory diseases, including influenza, which can devastate entire barnyards. To mitigate this, scientists have developed a vaccine program to help these animals resist influenza. However, the vaccination issue becomes complicated when it comes to international trade in live animals. The World Trade Organization's agreement on sanitary and phytosanitary standards requires animal health standards to be scientifically based on risk assessment. The podcast highlights the importance of keeping channels open for livestock trade while addressing concerns about vaccination and disease transmission.