UD professor to testify about avian flu response

University of Delaware Professor Jack Gelb will testify at tomorrow’s Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee hearing in Washington, D.C. examining the avian flu threat.

Gelb, director of UD’s Avian Biosciences Center, will discuss the status of the response to avian influenza in commercial poultry populations and make recommendations in case further infections occur.

He will also discuss what Delaware is doing to prepare if an outbreak spreads to the East Coast.

Sen. Tom Carper, the ranking Democrat on the committee,  invited Gelb to testify about the preventive measures Delaware is taking and the state’s emergency management plans in case an outbreak occurs.

Gelb frequently collaborates with federal and state officials on response to avian diseases and he oversees poultry disease training courses at UD.