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

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