Tyson Says None Of Its US Birds Infected WIth Flu

Springdale-based Tyson Foods, the world`s largest meat company, says none of its US flocks are among those infected with avian influenza. A new outbreak in Texas has prompted the European Union and South Korea to ban imports of chicken from the United States. That outbreak follows one earlier this month in Delaware. Officials say the strains in the two states are different. The Texas strain is highly contagious, unlike the variety in Delaware. Neither is viewed as being as severe at the avian influenza in Asia that is blamed for the deaths of 22 people. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta reports there are no known cases of people being sickened by the strain in Texas. Tyson says the US poultry industry is taking extra steps to protect flocks from disease. Tyson is not addressing the economic impact of the Texas outbreak. However, after the outbreak in Delaware, the company said its orders from countries banning US poultry could be filled by Tyson plants in other countries. Tyson has 300 facilities and offices spread among 26 states and 22 nations. The company employs 120,000 people.