Why is it in the news?
• Highly pathogenic Asian H5N1 is spreading across Europe, Asia and Africa.
• It causes high mortality in infected chickens.
• It has infected over 200 people causing as many as 50% to die.
Is this a potential threat to the poultry industry in Minnesota? What’s being done to protect our commercial poultry flocks?
• Commercial poultry is monitored carefully for illness – including different strains of bird flu – by state and federal authorities.
• In Minnesota, chickens and turkeys are monitored for disease by the state Department of Agriculture and the Board of Animal Health.
• There are many different strains of bird flu. Some pose a serious threat to the health of poultry flocks, and others do not.
• In the event that a strain of bird flu is found in a poultry flock, procedures are in place to isolate the sick birds, or take other steps to stop the spread of the virus.
• Different strains of bird flu are around all the time. We have experience looking for them and responding to them.
What is the effect of highly pathogenic Asian H5N1 in poultry? Are backyard poultry more resistant than commercial poultry?
• This virus kills 80 to 100% of the poultry that get infected. Backyard poultry are equally susceptible.
Where did this highly pathogenic H5N1 come from?
• This virus was first isolated from a domestic goose in Guangdong Province, China in 1996 and spread to Hong Kong in 1997 where it caused an outbreak chickens.
Is this highly pathogenic H5N1 found in the United States?
• No highly pathogenic H5N1 has ever been found in the United States or any other country in North or South America.
How can I tell if a bird has highly pathogenic Asian H5N1?
• It is not possible to tell if a bird has Asian H5N1 just from looking at it. A laboratory diagnosis is required. Generally it is best to avoid contact with any bird that appears sick.
What is the chance that highly pathogenic H5N1 in Asia could come to the United States?
• Highly pathogenic H5N1 has primarily infected wild birds and backyard or village poultry in Europe, Asia and Africa.
• There is limited cross-over of wild bird migration between the Eastern hemisphere (Europe, Asia and Africa) and Western hemisphere (the Americas) in Siberia, Alaska and northern Canada. If infected birds from Europe, Asia or Africa were to mix with North American birds, this is one way Asian H5N1 could get to the U.S.
• There is little contact between backyard poultry in the affected countries and the United States. Avian influenza is transmitted by direct contact with infected birds and by indirect contact with contaminated people or equipment. People, clothing and equipment involved with infected poultry in an infected country must be carefully cleaned and disinfected to prevent transmission of the disease to the U.S.
• The United States has taken precautions to prevent importation of birds of any kind from affected countries.
• Smuggling is a concern. There is a world-wide illegal trade in pet birds, raptors and fighting cocks that could introduce the Asian H5N1 virus into the U.S. Smuggled poultry products from China have been found in the U.S.
How is Asian H5N1 being kept out of the United States?
• There is little that can be done to control the possibility of Asian H5N1 entering the U.S. by way of the wild bird population.
• All live birds entering the United States legally must undergo a period of quarantine where they are tested for Newcastle disease and avian influenza. No live birds are being allowed into the United States from the countries affected by this outbreak.
• The major risk for the importation of this virus is probably smuggled live birds those smuggled for the pet bird trade, for falconry or for cock fighting and smuggled poultry products.
If highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza did enter the U.S. would it be detected?
• Yes, if it entered poultry populations. This virus causes such a dramatic disease in birds that it would quickly be noticed. Veterinarians, providing they are consulted, are trained to handle suspect cases appropriately and obtain a diagnosis.
• Probably, if it entered wild bird populations. Avian health professionals are monitoring wild waterfowl and other wild birds all across the continent.
• The U.S. Departments of Agriculture (USDA) and Interior (DOI) have developed a coordinated National Strategic Plan for early detection of Asian H5N1 HPAI in North American wild migratory birds. Information about the early detection system can be found at: http://www.nwhc.usgs.gov/publications/fact_sheets/pdfs/ai/AIFEB06.pdf
How will we know when we have our first infected bird? What’s being done to monitor for H5N1 bird flu in wild birds?
• Surveillance for H5N1 bird flu is already underway on major bird migration routes leading into the U.S.
• The U.S. Geological Survey and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will be working with state officials – primarily in Alaska – to test thousands of wild birds.
• Surveillance efforts in Minnesota include investigation of waterfowl die-offs, and sampling of birds in connection with bird-banding and hunter bag-checks.
• The University of Minnesota and others will be doing some limited testing of birds, and DNR will also be assisting with those efforts.
• There are many strains of bird flu besides the “H5N1” strain – and it’s not uncommon to find them in wild birds. None of them currently pose a threat to human health.
• Other bird flu strains are around all the time. We have experience looking for them and responding to them.
Is it true that intensive poultry production contributes to the development of avian influenza?
• Modern poultry production systems actually protect the birds and their health from outside disease carriers. In contrast, backyard or village chickens are exposed to the wild bird environment and to many potential disease carriers.
Does the use of hormones and chemicals make commercial poultry more likely to spread avian influenza?
• No, as hormones are not used in poultry production in the U.S. Only antimicrobials approved by the Food and Drug Administration can be used in poultry destined for human consumption.
What is the chance that highly pathogenic H5N1 in Asia could affect Minnesota poultry?
• The chances are slim. If it gets into U.S. poultry, regulatory authorities will take dramatic steps to control it before it is likely to get to Minnesota.
• The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources or DNR is working in cooperation with the U.S. Geological Survey and the Fish and Wildlife Service to determine future needs for monitoring of migratory wild birds for signs of highly pathogenic avian influenza. Additionally, DNR is collaborating in Minnesota with the Board of Animal Health, the Department of Health, the Department of Agriculture, and the University of Minnesota to ensure they are prepared for future monitoring and response needs regarding highly pathogenic avian influenza. Link to DNR factsheet: http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/hunting/waterfowl/avian_flu.html
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