More Strain Over U.S. Avian Flu

WASHINGTON - Feb 12/04 - SNS -- The discover of in chickens infected with the H7 strain of avian influenza at four live chicken markets in New Jersey is not seen as unusual, but it has generated concern in the U.S. poultry industry.

Participants are worried about the risk of widening bans on imports of U.S. chicken and the imposition of further constraints on the sale and processing of domestic chicken as animal health officials work to contain the disease and prevent its spread.

State officials indicate the incidents in New Jersey were uncovered as a result of routine testing of the tate's 35 live chicken markets. The infected markets have been instructed to sell all birds and then clean and sanitize all cages and equipment before reopening..

Nancy Halpern, the state veterinarian, told the The Star-Ledger of Newark, "We believe the virus is coming to (the markets). They can be doing everything right and still have a market that tests positive."

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