Transboundary Emerging and Exotic Animal Disease/ Exotic Animal Disease Practice Exam

True or False: The major impact of the 2015 HPAI outbreak in the United States was limited only to backyard flocks.

1. True

2. False

3. Partly true

4. Dependent on the region

The correct answer is: False

The statement is false because the major impact of the 2015 High Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) outbreak in the United States extended beyond just backyard flocks. The outbreak predominantly affected commercial poultry operations, which account for a significant proportion of U.S. poultry production. The disease caused substantial losses in the egg-laying and meat-producing sectors, leading to the culling of millions of birds to control the spread of the virus. Furthermore, the scale of the outbreak and the measures taken to manage it led to economic repercussions in terms of trade restrictions, market confidence, and the poultry industry's overall structure. This comprehensive impact on both the commercial and backyard sectors illustrates the extensive implications of HPAI outbreaks, demonstrating that the effects were not confined to one type of poultry system. Understanding the significance of such outbreaks requires recognizing the interconnectedness of various poultry operations and the critical role they play in the overall agricultural economy.