National Turkey Federation officials have reassured that cooked products remain safe in reaction to Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) cases in Mississippi.

They say the individual turkey flocks with the disease are located within the Mississippi Flyway travelled by migratory wild birds that carry Avian Influenza.

According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), the strain of Avian Influenza found in these cases does not pose immediate health risks to the public or to poultry plant workers.

"A spokesperson said: "Birds on affected farms are no longer viable for sale and are prohibited from entering the marketplace.

"The US turkey industry has strict biosecurity practices in place to help contain Avian Influenza. As part of this containment and eradication process, the industry works collaboratively with federal, state and local authorities when an outbreak occurs.

"In HPAI cases, it is necessary to euthanize poultry with humane methods recommended by the federal government and approved by industry groups like the American Veterinary Medical Association. The birds are disposed of in a manner to ensure safety and to eliminate the potential spread of AI.

"The U.S. poultry industry works closely with USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service and the US Poultry and Egg Export Council, USAPEEC to encourage all our trading partners to follow trade rules established by the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE). This generally limits restrictions to individual counties or states where AI is reported."