Local Economies and Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza - See more at: http://www.choicesmagazine.org/choices-magazine/theme-articles/economic-consequences-of-highly-pathogenic-avian-influenza/local-economies-and-highly-pathogenic-avian-influenza#sthash.dBt

Approximately $879 million was spent on the 2014-2015 HPAI outbreak and Fall planning activities according to data from USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS). This is equivalent to 1.82% of the total poultry production value, including egg values (USDA-NASS, 2014). Approximately $200 million of the total mitigation expenditures were indemnity payments (USA Today, 2015) to farmers, growers, and companies, $610 million to response activities on premises according to USDA-APHIS, $34 million on Fall planning costs, and the remaining $35 million likely applied to overtime, travel, and supplies for Veterinary Services’ employees. Given the likelihood of future HPAI outbreaks and if HPAI becomes endemic in wild birds (USDA-APHIS, 2016d), it is prudent to move forward with an understanding of the likely outcomes on the local economy and the economic agents involved for mitigating and planning for future events. - See more at: http://www.choicesmagazine.org/choices-magazine/theme-articles/economic-...