As the possibility of avian flu looms over farmers, James Allen Insurance wants to educate you on the policy we created when the avian flu first hit the United States. Here, at James Allen Insurance, we specialize in tailor-made coverage and want to protect your production in the case of an avian flu outbreak.
James Allen Insurance first developed the avian flu policy to protect farms and cut through all the red tape to ensure clients would be covered despite the challenges.
Unlike some other insurances, farm insurance policies are quite diverse so there is no standard. We understand that every farm is unique, and your policy should be custom-built for your specific needs.
In order to understand your specific needs, we want to educate you on avian flu.
What is Avian Flu?
Avian flu is short for avian influenza and is commonly found in poultry. The avian influenza virus has been around since 1997, and we have been creating policies for the disease since 2014.
Avian flu occurs naturally in wild water flow. Agriculture accounts for 70% of all water withdrawals, which is why most farmers use a natural water flow in order to feed their animals.
The virus can then easily spread to domestic poultry. Symptoms can range from mild or completely unnoticeable to a catastrophic outbreak with a mortality rate that can reach up to 100% in some avian species.
How to detect Avian Flu in poultry animals
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the University of Florida IFAS Extension, symptoms of avian influenza are:
- Respiratory Symptoms – Avian flu is a respiratory virus, so birds and poultry with bird flu may exhibit respiratory symptoms such as coughing and wheezing.
- Behavioral Changes – Birds with avian flu may seem depressed or inactive, and will eat and drink less. The birds may also suddenly seem uncoordinated and become unable to stand or walk normally.
- Egg Production – Birds with avian flu often produce fewer eggs. If they continue to produce eggs, they will often be soft.
- Physical Signs – The birds’ feathers may become ruffled and swelled, and the combs and waddles on poultry can appear a bluish-purple color.
- Gastrointestinal Symptoms – Diarrhea also develops in some animals with avian flu.
How can JAI protect farmers in the future?
James Allen Insurance developed the avian flu policy to protect farms and ensure farmers with protection in the instance of an outbreak. Whether you are affected by the negative impact of an avian flu outbreak or suffer from the direct loss of animals to the disease itself, or you indirectly are affected though the decrease in the demand for poultry products, James Allen Insurance wants to make sure you are protected. We urge you to get in touch with a James Allen representative today.