Pilgrim’s Pride tests chickens for H7N3 virus

Pilgrim’s Pride Corp. has identified an increased mortality rate in a breeder flock at a company facility located in the state of Guanajuato in central Mexico.

Management is working closely with regulators to perform blood tests to check for whether H7N3 virus, or influenza A, is present, Pilgrim’s Pride said in a statement released Sunday. The identified complex has been isolated with additional biosecurity measures implemented.

The measures include seeking and receiving authorization to vaccinate chickens in unaffected areas, the company said.

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The Guanajuato complex is responsible for a small amount of Pilgrim’s Mexican hatching eggs. The majority of Pilgrim’s hatching operations are strategically located in other states throughout Mexico.

“We’ve taken proactive measures leveraging our US production facilities to supply eggs and processed meat from our US operations, as well as alternative suppliers locally,” Pilgrim’s CEO Bill Lovette said.