Gonzales is one of state's top poultry-producing counties

By MONETTE TAYLOR | South Central Texas Edition

Days after news of an outbreak of avian influenza, restaurant-goers at the Rusty Rooster in Gonzales weren't deterred from having a chicken dinner. -- Staff photo by Taylor

March 4, 2004 -- In a good year, Gonzales County produces more than 85 million birds with a value of around $100 million, according to Texas Department of Agriculture data. As one of the top poultry-producing counties in Texas, it came as quite a shock when the avian influenza strain, H5N2 virus, was found on a Gonzales chicken farm, recently.

The "grower" or owner of the flock of chickens is reported to have taken some of his birds to a live-bird market in Houston, earlier, and upon return to Gonzales, he noticed an increased death rate, along with other sick birds.

According to The Associated Press (AP) reports, the grower/owner of the flock sent tissue samples for testing in mid-February, after some of the birds died and other birds appeared sick. Testing was first done at the Texas A&M Poultry Diagnostic Laboratory in Gonzales and then confirmed by the USDA Laboratory in Ames, Iowa.

Dwight Sexton, Texas Cooperative Extension agent for Gonzales County, said this is the only flock that has been diagnosed with the virus, but there is a 10-mile radius around that farm that is being tested for the virus. This requires poultry farms within that radius to have 10 percent of their birds tested by blood samples or throat swabs.

Most of the growers in the Gonzales area are "contract growers," said Sexton, and it is "business as usual" with other growers in the area.

"You must realize that this is a very small flock, and no other poultry tests in Gonzales have been positive," added Sexton.

A sign posted on the front door of South Texas Poultry Supply in Gonzales reminded patrons to disinfect their footwear. -- Staff photo by Taylor

At press time, the Texas Animal Health Commission investigation team was set up at the Luxury Inn Motel in Gonzales with plans to stay as long as is necessary to contain the virus outbreak.

According to AP reports, there was only one handler involved with the infected flock, and that worker has not suffered any health problems. The flock has been depopulated.

The broiler growers in the area are mostly contracted by companies such as Tyson and Soncrest, among others, said Sexton.

Customers at the local Dairy Queen have been ordering less chicken, according to an employee, but at the Rusty Rooster restaurant, business has not seen a decrease in chicken consumption, said a manager.

Listening to local citizens within various Gonzales businesses, it's really just "business as usual" despite the fact that a bird disease has brought a national spotlight to their town.

At the local South Texas Poultry Supply, James Gray, warehouse manager, said their business has not diminished, although they now require anyone who has been around poultry to take a "dip" in their shoe bath before entering the store.

For the most part, citizens of Gonzales are going about life as usual. Hopefully, within the next month, the virus problems will be resolved and life in the area will be back to its normal pace.