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U.S. POULTRY COMMUNITY TAKING STEPS TO MITIGATE
RISKS OF AVIAN FLU
Threat from Avian Flu is Real, but under
Control, according to the Poultry Science Association
SAVOY, IL (MAY 27, 2008) – Recent outbreaks of H5N1,
a highly pathogenic form of avian influenza, in places like China, Egypt, India
and South Korea, and last November’s outbreak in Britain, serve as important
reminders of the risks the virus carries for the poultry industry and humans
in North America. Poultry scientists and other poultry-related workers in the
university community are working together with industry, however, to help mitigate
those risks, according to The Poultry Science Association (PSA).
The Current Global Avian Influenza Situation
Influenza viruses have always circulated among wild waterfowl
and other birds and sometimes between domestic poultry. During the last two
decades much attention has been given to a specific type of influenza – H5N1.
While some viruses of this type are not capable of causing severe disease in
poultry or humans, some subtypes that have been circulating in Asia for about
two decades have the ability to cause high mortality in domestic poultry. In
rare cases in Asia, these strains have been transmitted to humans in close
contact with infected birds. When this occurs, the rate of human mortality
is quite high (~50%). The major concern for human health is related to the
possibility that the virus will change through mutations or recombination with
other influenza viruses to be able to transmit directly and efficiently from
person to person. It is this concern that has sporadically caused intense public
attention for many years.
"To date, these highly pathogenic strains of H5N1 influenza have not
been found in the American hemisphere in any animal species, even with intensive
monitoring efforts for susceptible wild waterfowl and domestic poultry populations
during the last several years. However, the potential for an outbreak remains
and the government and industry are working diligently to make sure that never
happens – or if it does, that it is quickly contained," said Dr.
Billy Hargis, Director of the University of Arkansas Poultry Health Research
Laboratory.
Economic Impact of an Outbreak of H5N1
Over the last two decades, commercial poultry producers in countries in Asia,
and more recently Africa, the Near East and Europe, have suffered staggering
losses due to outbreaks of the H5N1 virus. Although current estimates vary
widely, a conservative estimate is that global losses related to poultry range
in the tens of billions (USD). While the risk of a major outbreak in poultry
or even wild birds in North America seems to be low at this time, a severe
outbreak in North America could potentially lead to billions of dollars in
losses to the industry. This is why continued vigilance by the poultry industry
and animal health experts is extremely important.
Public-Private Efforts to Prevent H5N1 in North America
Fortunately, strict biosecurity procedures, sometimes along with regional
eradication measures, among some commercial poultry operations have proven
that poultry can be produced without infection by the H5N1 virus, even in countries
where the disease persists in backyard poultry and wild waterfowl.
In North American, where there have been zero observed outbreaks of the virus,
the poultry community has implemented a variety of measures to help reduce
the possibility of an occurrence and ensure that any future outbreak is quickly
contained.
The U.S. government is conducting surveillance in northwestern Alaska to guard
against transmission of H5N1 by migratory birds; both the US and Canada have
also increased surveillance of commercial flocks. In addition, all of the major
poultry companies (and most smaller ones) in both countries are monitoring
their flocks via testing, prior to slaughter, to detect any presence of the
virus – an effort representing an investment of millions of dollars.
In addition to surveillance and testing, PSA has held several symposia on
or related to the avian flu prevention issue, and many poultry extension departments
have conducted avian flu education programs for the poultry industry.
"We've developed a situation where poultry integrators, growers,
veterinarians, poultry departments, etc., are all coming together to talk about
the problem, and about what to do if an infection were to occur. This kind
of collaboration is essential if we want to minimize the risks of an avian
flu outbreak in North America," said Dr. Hargis.
Contingency Plans in Place
According to Dr. Hargis, over the last three years, most poultry-producing
states have developed and put into place contingency plans that would be put
into action in the event of an outbreak. A typical plan would include the following
steps:
-
Immediately quarantine and destroy the infected flock.
-
Alert anyone who has had contact with the flock, so that appropriate steps, such as administering Tamiflu, could be taken.
-
Use GPS mapping capabilities to pinpoint ommercial poultry flocks that might have been affected, then establish a radius, generally several miles and centered on the infected area, in which all birds would be either destroyed or intensely monitored.
-
Dispose of destroyed birds with extreme care, to ensure that further infection
does not occur.
"We have been very fortunate to have avoided any commercial contamination by H5N1. But we must continue to be vigilant and drive home to all poultry producers the importance of biosecurity and of taking appropriate steps to minimize infection risks, such as not mixing birds, eliminating access of wild birds and mammals, limiting visitors on the premises, and the use of disinfectant foot baths and protective clothing. If we do this consistently across the industry,
we will greatly increase the odds of quickly shutting down any infection that does occur before it can spread," said Dr. Hargis.
About PSA
The Poultry Science Association (PSA) is a global scientific society dedicated
to the discoveand dissemination of knowledge generated by poultry research – knowledge
that enhances human and animal health and well-being and provides for the ethical,
sustainable, and economical production of food. Founded in 1908, PSA has a
global membership of about 3,500. For more information, go to www.poultryscience.org.
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