An economic evaluation of preventing vs. suppressing HPAI outbreaks: A case study from Iowa

Abstract

This study presents an analysis comparing the costs of preventing Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in Iowa's poultry industry through wildlife management versus the costs of suppressing outbreaks once they occur. Using data from the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service's Veterinary Services and Wildlife Services, we conducted a cost-effectiveness analysis of prevention activities that reduce interactions between wild birds and domestic poultry. Our findings demonstrate that prevention efforts cost approximately $0.05 per bird, while suppression activities average $8.15 per bird in Iowa ($11.86 nationally). Results indicate that wildlife-based prevention programs would be cost-efficient, under current expenditures, if they reduced HPAI incidence by just over 3 %. The study provides compelling evidence that preventive wildlife management represents an opportunity for a more cost-effective approach to HPAI control compared to suppression measures alone, particularly given the recurrent and extensive economic impacts of recent outbreaks that have affected over 97 million birds nationally since 2022 and cost over $1.13 billion in response activities. These findings identify the need for continued evaluation of approaches to disease management to enhance the resilience of the U.S. poultry industry against the persistent threat of HPAI.