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H5(N?) Bird flu found in State of Washington
No N1 found, but no alternate N component reported.
Bird flu found in state
This story was published Wednesday, October 4th, 2006
By Chris Mulick, Herald Olympia bureau
TACOMA -- State and federal authorities reported Tuesday that testing of migratory birds in Washington has turned up evidence of avian influenza this year but not the dreaded H5N1 virus.
An avian flu briefing drew more than 50 health officials, poultry producers, processors and others who listened to experts intently and lobbed a series of questions inside a downtown Tacoma hotel conference room.
If a deadly avian flu virus were to be found and spread, how long would it last? How long would poultry operations be out of business? And are planned surveillance zones around infected sites adequate?
If there weren't answers to each question, the panel of veterinarian, health, and state and federal agriculture officials leading the discussion agreed on one thing. Early detection and rapid response will be the top defense. And for that, they need help.
"The state and federal government cannot do this alone," said Valoria Loveland, director of the state Department of Agriculture.
"This is really a partnership with you. It's really an opportunity for you to think 'how can I help,' " Mark Kinsel, manager of the agency's avian health program, told the crowd. "You are our eyes and our ears out there. You can really help us."
The state and federal governments have begun an array of tests, looking for any signs of any of the 144 different varieties of the avian flu virus, most of which are not harmful.
To date, the state has begun sampling eggs and poultry meat, as well as testing birds at fairs, swap meets and live bird markets. It also is building a database of poultry operations large and small and wants to focus on small "back yard" operations with 20 or fewer chickens.
A group of volunteer veterinarians also has been assembled that could be activated if a deadly virus were detected.
In that event, an affected zone would be established around the site where a virus was and a surveillance zone that is twice as large would encircle it for additional testing. Carcasses would be disposed of on site if possible.
Singh Dhillon from Washington State University's Avian Health Laboratory said poultry producers should be looking for sharp declines in egg production, respiratory problems, central nervous system complications that could leave chickens struggling to balance themselves and high mortality rates.
Don Kraege, waterfowl section manager for the state Department of Fish and Wildlife, said about 525 samples from wild bird have been taken since testing started in July.
And Roger Woodruff, director of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Wildlife Services Office for Washington and Alaska, said his agency has collected 300 samples so far.
Both reported finding some H5 detections, representing just one of two proteins the viruses are classified by. But there has been no N1 detection, the other half of the H5N1 equation.
While that virus has been deadly among bird populations in the Far East only people in extremely close contact with infected birds have been known to contract it. And there's been no evidence to suggest that virus could be transmitted from person to person.
The state and federal governments hope to collect more fecal samples this year plus bird samples from hunters. Woodruff said his agency will focus mostly on Western Washington, which lies under the dominant flight pattern from Alaska.
Anyone who spots problems among their poultry populations is encouraged to call the state's avian health hotline at 1-800-606-3056. Problems with wild bird populations can be reported to the state Department of Fish and Wildlife at 1-800-606-8768.
"We take very seriously any tips we get," Kinsel said.
© 2005 Tri-City Herald, Associated Press and other wire services.
This story was published Wednesday, October 4th, 2006
By Chris Mulick, Herald Olympia bureau
TACOMA -- State and federal authorities reported Tuesday that testing of migratory birds in Washington has turned up evidence of avian influenza this year but not the dreaded H5N1 virus.
An avian flu briefing drew more than 50 health officials, poultry producers, processors and others who listened to experts intently and lobbed a series of questions inside a downtown Tacoma hotel conference room.
If a deadly avian flu virus were to be found and spread, how long would it last? How long would poultry operations be out of business? And are planned surveillance zones around infected sites adequate?
If there weren't answers to each question, the panel of veterinarian, health, and state and federal agriculture officials leading the discussion agreed on one thing. Early detection and rapid response will be the top defense. And for that, they need help.
"The state and federal government cannot do this alone," said Valoria Loveland, director of the state Department of Agriculture.
"This is really a partnership with you. It's really an opportunity for you to think 'how can I help,' " Mark Kinsel, manager of the agency's avian health program, told the crowd. "You are our eyes and our ears out there. You can really help us."
The state and federal governments have begun an array of tests, looking for any signs of any of the 144 different varieties of the avian flu virus, most of which are not harmful.
To date, the state has begun sampling eggs and poultry meat, as well as testing birds at fairs, swap meets and live bird markets. It also is building a database of poultry operations large and small and wants to focus on small "back yard" operations with 20 or fewer chickens.
A group of volunteer veterinarians also has been assembled that could be activated if a deadly virus were detected.
In that event, an affected zone would be established around the site where a virus was and a surveillance zone that is twice as large would encircle it for additional testing. Carcasses would be disposed of on site if possible.
Singh Dhillon from Washington State University's Avian Health Laboratory said poultry producers should be looking for sharp declines in egg production, respiratory problems, central nervous system complications that could leave chickens struggling to balance themselves and high mortality rates.
Don Kraege, waterfowl section manager for the state Department of Fish and Wildlife, said about 525 samples from wild bird have been taken since testing started in July.
And Roger Woodruff, director of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Wildlife Services Office for Washington and Alaska, said his agency has collected 300 samples so far.
Both reported finding some H5 detections, representing just one of two proteins the viruses are classified by. But there has been no N1 detection, the other half of the H5N1 equation.
While that virus has been deadly among bird populations in the Far East only people in extremely close contact with infected birds have been known to contract it. And there's been no evidence to suggest that virus could be transmitted from person to person.
The state and federal governments hope to collect more fecal samples this year plus bird samples from hunters. Woodruff said his agency will focus mostly on Western Washington, which lies under the dominant flight pattern from Alaska.
Anyone who spots problems among their poultry populations is encouraged to call the state's avian health hotline at 1-800-606-3056. Problems with wild bird populations can be reported to the state Department of Fish and Wildlife at 1-800-606-8768.
"We take very seriously any tips we get," Kinsel said.
© 2005 Tri-City Herald, Associated Press and other wire services.
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