Dr. Jack Gelb, director of the Avian Bio science Center of the University of Delaware stated “it is important that not only are we able to diagnose to a disease rapidly, specifically and quickly but ultimately these blocs need to be repopulated to prevent to the spread within to minimize any transmission to humans”.

The USDA grant will allow the participating institutions to continue projects funded in 2005.  The Avian Influenza Coordinated Agricultural Project include the universities of Maryland, California, Georgia, and state Universities in Ohio, Oregon, Texas in addition to the USDA-ARS Southeast Poultry Research Laboratory.