Avian Influenza Larry Hollis, D.V.M., M.Ag. Scott Beyer, Ph.D. Karen Blakeslee, M.S. Pat Melgares, Marketing

Avian Influenza Influenza A Influenza A Low pathogenicity forms (LPAI) Low pathogenicity forms (LPAI) High pathogenicity forms (HPAI) High pathogenicity forms (HPAI) 16 Hemagluttinin (H) subtypes 16 Hemagluttinin (H) subtypes 9 Neuraminidase (N) subtypes 9 Neuraminidase (N) subtypes Designated H X N X Designated H X N X

Avian Influenza Only H5 and H7 subtypes are known to contain highly pathogenic strains Only H5 and H7 subtypes are known to contain highly pathogenic strains

Avian Influenza Usually low pathogenicity form in poultry Usually low pathogenicity form in poultry Usually highly species-specific Usually highly species-specific Seen occasionally in swine Seen occasionally in swine

Avian Influenza 2003 poultry outbreaks that started spreading country-to-country 2003 poultry outbreaks that started spreading country-to-country H5N1 H5N1

Poultry Cases 2004 Laos Laos (Malaysia) (Malaysia) (Korea) (Korea) (Japan) (Japan)2003 Laos Laos Malaysia Malaysia Korea Korea Japan Japan PubMed Online

Poultry Cases 2005 Cambodia Cambodia China China Indonesia Indonesia Kazakhstan Kazakhstan Mongolia Mongolia Romania Romania Russia Russia Thailand Thailand Turkey Turkey Vietnam Vietnam

Poultry or Waterfowl Cases 2006 Albania Albania Afghanistan Afghanistan Austria Austria Azerbaijan Azerbaijan Bulgaria Bulgaria Cameroon Cameroon Denmark Denmark Egypt Egypt France France Germany Germany Greece Greece Hungary Hungary India India Iran Iran Iraq Iraq Israel Israel Italy Italy Jordan Jordan Myanmar Myanmar Nigeria Nigeria Palestine Palestine Pakistan Pakistan Slovenia Slovenia

Avian Influenza Over 300 million domestic birds dead or destroyed Over 300 million domestic birds dead or destroyed

Migratory Waterfowl Many migratory birds from affected regions are now carrying the H5N1 virus Many migratory birds from affected regions are now carrying the H5N1 virus

Commercial Bird Transportation

Bird Smuggling National Geographic

Human Cases Over 232 human cases Over 232 human cases China, SE Asia and Indonesia China, SE Asia and Indonesia WHO, as of July 26, 2006

Human Cases Over 50% mortality rate (134/232*) Over 50% mortality rate (134/232*) Linked to direct contact with infected birds, primarily during slaughter Linked to direct contact with infected birds, primarily during slaughter *WHO, as of July 26, 2006

Human Threat H5N1 genetic mutation that spreads as respiratory infection in humans, resulting in a world-wide pandemic H5N1 genetic mutation that spreads as respiratory infection in humans, resulting in a world-wide pandemic

Pandemic Requirements 1. New influenza subtype emerges 2. It infects humans, causing serious illness 3. It spreads easily and sustainably among humans

Spreading Easily and Sustainably Between Humans Requires: Genetic reassortment between avian and human influenza viruses or Genetic reassortment between avian and human influenza viruses or Adaptive mutation whereby avian virus learns to attach to human cells Adaptive mutation whereby avian virus learns to attach to human cells

Becoming Pandemic H5N1 virus appears to be more pathogenic today than just a few years ago H5N1 virus appears to be more pathogenic today than just a few years ago Expanding its host range, especially into more mammalian species Expanding its host range, especially into more mammalian species Starting to see large migratory waterfowl die-offs Starting to see large migratory waterfowl die-offs

Prevention Care should be taken to avoid contact with live, well-appearing, sick, or dead poultry and with any surfaces that may have been contaminated by poultry or their feces or secretions Care should be taken to avoid contact with live, well-appearing, sick, or dead poultry and with any surfaces that may have been contaminated by poultry or their feces or secretions

Prevention Avoid places such as poultry farms and bird markets where live poultry are raised or kept Avoid places such as poultry farms and bird markets where live poultry are raised or kept

Prevention Careful and frequent handwashing is the best defense! Careful and frequent handwashing is the best defense!

Prevention Handwashing tips Handwashing tips Wash before and after handing raw poultry and game birdsWash before and after handing raw poultry and game birds Wash hands after handing petsWash hands after handing pets Soap and warm/hot water, at least 20 secondsSoap and warm/hot water, at least 20 seconds Waterless alcohol-based hand gelsWaterless alcohol-based hand gels Use only as a supplement to handwashing Use only as a supplement to handwashing

Prevention Thawing frozen poultry and game birds Thawing frozen poultry and game birds Thaw in the refrigeratorThaw in the refrigerator Thaw in microwave, then cook immediatelyThaw in microwave, then cook immediately Thaw under cold running water, then cook immediatelyThaw under cold running water, then cook immediately

Prevention Influenza viruses are destroyed by heat Influenza viruses are destroyed by heat Cook all poultry and game birds to 165°FCook all poultry and game birds to 165°F Cook all eggs and egg dishes to 160°FCook all eggs and egg dishes to 160°F

Prevention Avoid cross-contamination Avoid cross-contamination Keep raw poultry and game bird meat and juices away from ready-to-eat foodsKeep raw poultry and game bird meat and juices away from ready-to-eat foods Do not wash raw poultry and game bird meatDo not wash raw poultry and game bird meat Splattered water can spread bacteria Splattered water can spread bacteria

Prevention Clean and Sanitize Clean and Sanitize Wash knives, cutting board, and countertops after cutting raw poultryWash knives, cutting board, and countertops after cutting raw poultry Use hot, soapy water Use hot, soapy water Sanitize cutting boards and countertops with a bleach solutionSanitize cutting boards and countertops with a bleach solution 1 teaspoon bleach per 1 quart water 1 teaspoon bleach per 1 quart water

Prevention Human vaccines are being developed and tested in several countries Human vaccines are being developed and tested in several countries

What is Kansas Doing? Gov. Kathleen Sebelius held a planning summit on May 31 Gov. Kathleen Sebelius held a planning summit on May 31 See the plan at the plan at Click on… “Kansas Pandemic Influenza Preparedness and Response Plan”Click on… “Kansas Pandemic Influenza Preparedness and Response Plan”

What is K-State Research and Extension Doing? Partnerships with state agencies Partnerships with state agencies Active Web site Active Web site Planning and preparedness checklistsPlanning and preparedness checklists Fact sheetsFact sheets Supporting local Extension effortsSupporting local Extension efforts

Information Updates Animal and Human Health Issues K-State Research and Extension’s risk communications team is monitoring avian influenza K-State Research and Extension’s risk communications team is monitoring avian influenza The U.S. government is maintaining an active Web site The U.S. government is maintaining an active Web site

Thank you!