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When poultry take a sick leave: Response costs for the 2014–2015 highly pathogenic avian influenza epidemic in the USA

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  • Seeger, Riley M.
  • Hagerman, Amy D.
  • Johnson, Kamina K.
  • Pendell, Dustin L.
  • Marsh, Thomas L.

Abstract

The 2014–2015 H5N2/H5N8 highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) epidemic required $879 million dollars in public expenditures to eradicate the disease from poultry production, making it the most costly animal health incident in US history. Cost and resource availability are important considerations when determining optimal response plans. However, limited information was available, historically, on which to base the evaluation of response plans for large-scale HPAI events on farms in the US and across the world. Response cost data collected during the 2014–2015 HPAI outbreak by the United States Department of Agriculture – Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service and associated response information such as responder type and activity were examined as a preliminary effort to enhance understanding of the cost associated with alternative response plans under real resource and labor constraints. Results indicated that differences did exist by state and poultry facility type that affected both total and incremental cost, indicating the importance of local and state policies and resources on farm level eradication cost. On-farm response activities associated with depopulation and disposal resulted in costs that were most sensitive to bird inventory size. Exploring the responder characteristics revealed that contractors hired directly by the federal government or sub-contractors that are hired by a producer, while most expensive in absolute terms, contributed the lowest incremental increase in cost for each additional bird housed on a farm when depopulating. Identifying and quantifying response activity costs for poultry assists planning efforts for local, state and federal response agencies and private firms that are faced with high consequence avian health threats. The data, while still limited in certain facets, facilitate impact assessments and cost-benefit analyses in future planning. This study illustrates the importance of collecting livestock disease outbreak cost data ex post for observing cost relationships during large-scale animal disease events in countries with commercial poultry production.

Suggested Citation

  • Seeger, Riley M. & Hagerman, Amy D. & Johnson, Kamina K. & Pendell, Dustin L. & Marsh, Thomas L., 2021. "When poultry take a sick leave: Response costs for the 2014–2015 highly pathogenic avian influenza epidemic in the USA," Food Policy, Elsevier, vol. 102(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jfpoli:v:102:y:2021:i:c:s0306919221000452
    DOI: 10.1016/j.foodpol.2021.102068
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Aklesso Egbendewe-Mondzozo & Levan Elbakidze & Bruce A. McCarl & Michael P. Ward & John B. Carey, 2013. "Partial equilibrium analysis of vaccination as an avian influenza control tool in the U.S. poultry sector," Agricultural Economics, International Association of Agricultural Economists, vol. 44(1), pages 111-123, January.
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    3. Johnson, Kamina K. & Seeger, Riley M. & Marsh, Thomas L., 2016. "Local Economies and Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza," Choices: The Magazine of Food, Farm, and Resource Issues, Agricultural and Applied Economics Association, vol. 31(2), pages 1-9, May.
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