Pilgrim's Pride, Tyson Shares Fall As USDA Confirms Missouri Avian Flu Cases

Shares of U.S. meat producers were sharply lower Wednesday after the U.S. Department of Agriculture confirmed that it has detected H5N2 avian flu in two commercial turkey flocks in Missouri. The news comes just two months after the USDA confirmed the presence of the highly pathogenic H5N8 avian influenza in a commercial turkey flock in Stanislaus County, California. The USDA said no human infections from the virus have been detected. The Missouri authorities are working with poultry workers to ensure they are taking all precautions. Pilgrim's Pride Corp. was the biggest decliner, shedding 6.5% in midmorning trade. Tyson Foods Inc. slid 4.9% and Sanderson Farms Inc. fell 4.3%. The S&P 500 was up 0.1%.