America Is Losing the ‘Epic Battle’ Against Bird Flu

After losing eight million egg-laying hens to avian influenza in 2015, Versova Management Co. spent tens of millions of dollars on laser systems, sound cannons and on-site worker showers to shield flocks from the virus spread by wild birds.

Versova lost another two million or so hens in the latest outbreak, showing the limits of costly industry protections.

“We’re fighting an epic battle,” said J.T. Dean, president of Versova, one of the five largest U.S. egg producers. “We have to be perfect.”

The avian flu has a nearly 100% mortality rate in chickens, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It is so contagious that even a chance gust of wind can carry wild-bird droppings toward a barn vent and spread the virus inside, Mr. Dean said. Poultry farms routinely destroy entire flocks after a single case is found to try to prevent further spread.