Transcript Avian Influenza What, Where, When Anthony Pescatore Department of Animal Sciences University of Kentucky.

Avian Influenza
What, Where, When
Anthony Pescatore
Department of Animal Sciences
University of Kentucky
Be Prepared!
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The Poultry Industry supports communities
planning responses to a Pandemic
 Asian Bird Flu (H5N1) may or may not be
the next “Big One” but we should respect it
 While we need to be prepare we do not need
to scare people
 Remember my 88 year old Aunt
Avian Influenza in the US
is NOT the same Virus as
“Bird” Flu in Asia
Avian Influenza
Nomenclature
Birds: Influenza A type virus
Influenza A is divided into Subtypes based
on their surface proteins:
Hemagglutin (HA): 15 subtypes
Neuraminidase (NA): 9 subtypes
H5N1
Influenzavirus A
Host of Origin
Mammalia
HA
Subtype
H1
H2
H3
H4/6
H5
H7
H8
H9
H10/11
H12
H13
H14
H15
Human
Swine
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Aves
Equine
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Domestic
Ducks Shorebirds Poultry
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Poultry FAD 2005
Influenza Virus (Flu)
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Mammals and birds always have flu viruses
circulating in their respective populations
Horses, Hogs, Humans, and Birds are just a few of
the species that are susceptible to flu viruses
Flu viruses generally stay within species
There are some exceptions like Swine flu, which
resides in hogs but can infect turkeys
Flu viruses are always changing, that’s why the
human vaccine changes yearly
Avian Influenza (AI)
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North America has always had Avian
Influenza strains circulating in waterfowl,
wild birds, and live bird markets
 “Asian Bird Flu”(H5N1) is one of many
strains of Avian Influenza
 Poultry companies are concerned about all
avian influenza strains, not just “Asian Bird
Flu”
Some Perspective on
Asian Bird Flu (H5N1)
Less than 110 people have died from “Asian Bird
Flu” and less than 200 are known to have gotten
sick out of 3.7 Billion people in Asia
 It is not contagious between people
 People afflicted with this disease had very close
contact with sick birds (live with them, butchered
and ate products from sick birds.)
 It has been known to be in Asia since 1997 but
recently has moved into Africa and Europe
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Asian Bird Flu (H5N1) infects
birds easily but does not infect
people easily
Factors in Asia that have
facilitated H5N1 Infection
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Eastern Asia has the most poultry and people
living in very close proximity
Unsanitary conditions
Live Bird (Wet) Markets are a primary source for
poultry in cities
Sick animals are likely to be eaten by
impoverished people
Consumption of uncooked meat or poultry
products (such as raw blood)
Cockfighting (highly mobile)
Asian Bird Flu(H5N1)
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This is not a subtle disease in birds
 It kills birds very quickly and in large
numbers (90% plus)
 With few exceptions, cases have been in
live markets, free roaming birds or birds
kept in primitive conditions
Areas outside Asia
EU
Most of the outbreaks have been single
incidences in wild birds (Swans, Tufted
Ducks)
Record cold in Eastern Europe may have
disrupted normal winter nesting areas
Three outbreaks in poultry (France,
Germany and Sweden
EU approved vaccination of birds in France
and Netherlands
Move birds inside in affected areas
Areas outside Asia
Middle East
 Wild Birds and Poultry
 Change in Migratory routes
 Egypt hiding of sick birds lead to human
illness
Africa
 Small village flocks
What do you need to know
about “Asian Bird Flu”?
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This disease will not sneak up on the U.S.
 U.S. commercial poultry are at a lower risk of
getting “Asian Bird Flu” than free roaming birds
 Wild birds, free range poultry, backyard birds,
Live bird markets, and gamecocks are at the
highest risk of all Avian Flu
 U.S. Poultry companies understand that this is
“not just another AI virus” and are taking
precautions
How are Poultry Companies
responding to the threat?
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All of the major poultry companies are testing all
flocks prior to processing to ensure that poultry
products are AI free
 In the unlikely event of a H5N1 infection in
commercial poultry, the flock would not be
processed for food. (euthanized on farm)
 Consumer Education Message: U.S. poultry
products will be safe even if Asian Bird flu
comes to U.S. (websites, brochures, articles)
What is being done in US
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Voluntary (mandatory) surveillance program
Must test for exports
 Mandatory surveillance of live bird markets in
NY, NJ and east coast
 Increase awareness among poultry health
officials and state officials
 USDA increase information to small flocks
producers
 Import ban on poultry from Asia
What is being done in Kentucky?
•Commercial Surveillance Program
•Poultry Health Advisory Board
•Emergency Disease Plan
•Catastrophic Loss Training
•Creation of an indemnity fund for small
flocks ($ 102,000) by commercial
industry
How Poultry Companies are
structured to prevent disease
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Chickens are raised indoors to protect from
disease-carrying wild birds
 A company representative visits the farm
weekly to evaluate flock health
 Producers alert the company immediately to
changes in flock health status
 Biosecurity: Procedures that keep disease
away from the flock
Poultry Biosecurity
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Unauthorized visitors are not permitted on farm
Clean coveralls, hairnets, and disposable boots are
used when visiting farms
Step pans disinfect footwear prior to entering
Water systems sanitized (especially lake systems)
Producers avoid contact with waterfowl,
gamecocks, poultry swap meets, etc.
Why aren’t we vaccinating our
chickens for Asian Bird Flu?
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Historically, vaccinating for AI meant that a
country was not serious about eradication
 US Poultry relies heavily on exports: Breast meat
stays in domestic markets, Leg quarters go
overseas
 U.S. companies believe that trade barriers would
be imposed if U.S. vaccinated for AI
 Overseas opposition to vaccination may vanish as
more countries vaccinate for “Asian Bird Flu”
What can small producers do?
•Biosecurity
•Personal Hygiene
Wash your hands, Wash your hands, Wash your hands
•Separate clothes and boots for the poultry
•Protective gear if creating an aerosol
•Be aware of where you have been
•Get sick birds to a diagnostic lab
•If you have a poultry event schedule in your county let
the State Veterinarian Office know.
Thank You!