1. Avian Influenza: Protecting Flocks, Protecting People
Akrum Hamdy

2. What is avian influenza?
A disease of birds that occurs around the world from time to time
Can be mild (low pathogenic) or severe (highly pathogenic)
“Asian” strain is called H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza (AI)
HPAI causes high death rate in flocks

3. Spread mainly by wild birds
Geese and ducks can carry the virus without having symptoms
If chickens and turkeys are allowed to commingle with wild geese and ducks, they can get the virus and develop disease
Migratory birds can carry the virus long distances
Locally, virus can be tracked by humans

4. Avian and Pandemic Influenza
There is a epidemic if you are a chicken in Southeast Asia: H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza of specifically Eurasian lineage
Over 100 million birds have died or been destroyed
Only weakly transmissible to humans through close contact with infected animals
No sustained human-to-human transmission

5. Preventing a Pandemic in Humans
If highly pathogenic AI is not allowed to exist in poultry, it will not have the opportunity to mutate to a form in which it can be hazardous to humans
Objective is to prevent human pandemic from arising in U.S.
U.S. government should assist foreign governments in similar programs overseas

6. Could Asian AI spread to the US?
Most likely route is via mingling of migrating birds in Alaska
U.S. has taken 13,000 samples in Alaska with zero H5N1 HPAI and only 313 avian influenza virus (AIV) of any kind
Very extensive sampling is being done in remaining 49 states
Several detections so far of low-pathogenic, North American H5N1 AIV not related to Asian form

7. Biologists taking sample in Alaska
Samples taken in Alaska in 2006: 13,000 +
H5N1 HPAI found: Zero

8. Preventing HPAI outbreaks in US
We have never had highly pathogenic H5N1 AI in North America
Industry is working closely with government to detect and eliminate any introduction of the hazardous forms of avian influenza into commercial poultry flocks
Surveillance, biosecurity and testing, are all key to preventing outbreaks

10. Protective sheltered environment
Chickens in the U.S. are raised almost entirely in enclosed houses – prevents mingling with migrating birds

11. Restricted access to farms
Sorry, no visitors – prevents accidentally tracking the virus onto the farm

12. Service vehicles
Vehicles that must come on the farm are sanitized

13. Industry testing program
NCC-sponsored testing program requires that every flock of a participating company is tested before going to market.
Any flock with H5 or H7 AI – regardless of pathogenicity – will be destroyed on the farm
Program is being implemented by companies that produce the vast majority of meat chickens in the U.S.

14. Laboratory Testing: Avian Influenza
Serology – 24 hour test (check for antibodies)
Antigen capture – 15 minute test (necropsy and in the field)
Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) – 4 hour test (H5 or H7)
Virus isolation – 72 hour test (H5 or H7)
*****
Positive samples sent to the National Veterinary Services Laboratory (NVSL) – typing, H5 or H7, lineage, and pathogenicity

15. Control Program for Avian Influenza
Response plans – rapid response
Tested on previous avian influenza outbreaks – effective
Cooperation – state Department of Agriculture, USDA, industry, universities, laboratories, and Health Department
Law enforcement, FBI, and emergency management personnel

16. Avian Influenza Outbreak
Call state veterinarian
Samples sent to NVSL – overnight
Geographic information system – map
Department of Agriculture personnel: flock visit – quarantine and collect additional samples
Surveillance on surrounding and contact farms
In the past it has been the first case – not widespread
If several cases or highly pathogenic, USDA personnel assist with control efforts
Depopulation – clean-up

17. Reaction to Outbreak
If an outbreak occurs: infected flock would be destroyed on farm immediately and buried on the premises or composted in the growout house
Isolation, quarantine and movement controls would be instituted and nearby farms tested
Aim is to limit spread of disease and prevent a widespread outbreak

18. Questions?
Akrum Hamdy