Transcript Avian Influenza 101 Prepared by the Indiana State Board of Animal Health May 2006

Avian Influenza 101
Prepared by the Indiana State Board of Animal Health
May 2006
Goals:
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Understand differences in flu types
Recognize relative risk
Discuss food safety aspects
Know how to handle dead birds
3 Categories of Flu
Pandemic flu is NOT bird flu!
3 Categories of Flu
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Pandemic Flu
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Does not currently exist
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Warnings are based on predictions
An existing virus must mutate first
Human-to-human transmission
Predicted based on historical cycles
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About 3 every century
3 Categories of Flu
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Avian Influenza H5N1
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One strain of many
Most active in Asia
Has not been found in North America
3 Categories of Flu
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All other avian influenzas
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Many other strains of the virus
May or may not have human health
affects
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Most do not
Considered a general economic, as well
as health, threat to poultry industry
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Routine flock testing by industry, USDA and
Indiana State Board of Animal Health
What Is Avian Flu?
Simple Answer: A Virus
Avian Influenza
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Numerous subtypes
HxNx: 16 Hs and 9 Ns
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Theoretically 144 combinations
Antigens on the virus surface
Few have human health impact
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H5N1, H7N2, H7N3, H7N7, H9N2
Most no more than conjunctivitis
Avian Influenza
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Why the concern about H5N1?
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Unique transmission directly to people
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Only with very close contact with birds
No sustained human-to-human transmission
Some similarities to 1918 strain
High death rate among reported cases
Low-Path AI: Key Facts
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Does occur periodically in the U.S.
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Naturally in wild bird populations
No known human health affects
Is not cause for fear
High Path AI: Key Facts
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Not currently found in N. America
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H5N1 currently not readily
transmissible to humans
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Texas, British Columbia: 2004
Pennsylvania: 1983-84
No sustained human-human spread
High death rate in birds
HPAI: Clinical Signs
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Sudden death without signs
Lack of energy, appetite
Reduced egg production
Swollen head, eyelids, comb, wattles
Discolored purple wattles, comb, legs
Nasal discharge, coughing, sneezing
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Report cases to: 866-536-7593
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What is Our Risk of H5N1?
Indiana is not a high-risk state
H5N1 Risk
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U.S. ban on trade with countries with
HPAI infection
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Most U.S. poultry raised indoors
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No live birds, eggs or poultry products
High biosecurity in commercial flocks
Close bird contact is uncommon
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In homes
H5N1 Risk
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Migratory birds
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Waterfowl on international fly-ways
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Nationwide testing of wild birds
Pacific rim/Alaska
Indiana is not on a major fly-way
Resident Canada geese are low risk
USDA, DNR targeted surveillance
Can I Get AI From Eating
Eggs or Poultry?
AI is not a food safety threat
Food Safety
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If properly handled, AI is no threat
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Wash your hands when handling food
Clean all surfaces in contact with raw
meat
Keep foods cold before and after cooking
Do not cross-contaminate
Cook poultry to 170 degrees F
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Avian influenza virus is killed at 140 F
Food Safety
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Poultry products are inspected
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Twice: before and after slaughter
Sick, dead birds are not processed
All flocks are tested for AI
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Infected flocks are destroyed without
entering the food chain
How Do I Know My
Food Supply Is Safe?
Testing and Inspection
Food Supply Safety
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U.S. agriculture is different
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Commercial flocks raised indoors
Biosecurity prevents wild bird exposure
Poultry raised away from other species
Animals not kept in homes/close human
contact
Flocks regularly tested for disease
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75,000+ birds in IN this year
HOGS
HOG MANURE
Sleeping with peacock
Food Supply Safety
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U.S. food consumption is different
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Healthy birds slaughtered under
inspection
Cultural food preferences are lower risk
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Thorough cooking
Live bird markets uncommon in U.S.
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Birds are slaughtered on-the-spot
Indiana has banned traditional markets
What If I Find A Dead Bird?
Don’t worry!
Birds Die for Lots of Reasons
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Natural deaths
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Accidents
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Predators, severe weather, short life span
Impacts with power lines, aircraft, buildings
Toxicants
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Legal & illegal pest control methods
Spoiled grain and dirty bird feeders
Environmental contamination
Birds Die for Lots of Reasons
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Diseases
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Most do not have human health affects!
West Nile virus
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Blue jays, robins, crows, cardinals, raptors
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Call your LOCAL health department
Avian influenza
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Migratory geese, ducks, swans, shorebirds
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Call Wildlife Conflicts Hotline 800-893-4116
Tips for Dead Wild Birds
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Do not handle it
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Treat it like dog poop!
Wear disposable gloves or place a plastic
bag over your hand to pick it up
Place it in a plastic bag
Wash your hands afterward
Dispose of it in your garbage