U.S. - Virginia - Possible Avian Flu Detected [in turkeys]

[Theresa42]

Hat-tip, bird-dog!

Possible Avian Flu Detected
Posted: 11:25 AM Jul 8, 2007
Last Updated: 12:07 PM Jul 8, 2007

The Shenandoah County department of Fire and Rescue has confirmed that a flock of turkeys has been tested for Avian flu.

WHSV's James Jackson has learned the State Department of Agriculture and Consumer Affairs is handling the situation, and has scheduled a special meeting to take place Sunday afternoon.

The test results from the flock are pending.

http://www.whsv.com/home/headlines/8378922.html

[Treyfish]

Re: U.S. - Virginia - Possible Avian Flu Detected [in turkeys]

July 9, 2007
STATEMENT FROM DR. RICHARD WILKES, STATE VETERINARIAN, VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND CONSUMER SERVICES:
TURKEYS TEST POSITIVE FOR ANTIBODIES FOR MILD FORM OF AVIAN INFLUENZA DURING ROUTINE TESTING
During routine testing of poultry flocks prior to slaughter, the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) determined late Friday, July 6, that a turkey flock in Shenandoah County tested suspicious for antibodies of low pathogenic avian influenza (LPAI). Testing over the weekend by the USDA?s National Veterinary Services Laboratory (NVSL) in Ames, Iowa confirmed the presence of avian influenza (A.I.) antibodies, which indicates possible prior exposure to the A.I. H5 virus. So far USDA testing has not identified the actual virus that caused the birds to produce the antibodies.
NVSL is doing further testing to help identify the virus and hopefully determine its source. VDACS, USDA and the poultry owner are working cooperatively to minimize the possibility that the virus will move beyond this farm.
It is important for Virginia consumers to realize that this is not a public health concern. No affected birds entered or will enter the food chain and poultry products are safe to eat. This is NOT the severe, highly-pathogenic strain that has caused widespread flock destruction and some human cases in countries outside of the United States. Rather, this is almost certainly one of the many milder strains of avian flu that are not uncommon in poultry and that cause only minor sickness or no noticeable symptoms in birds. VDACS will continue to work with USDA and the poultry industry to take all necessary steps to successfully address this situation and minimize its impact on Virginia agriculture.
The affected flock contains 54,000 birds, which will be euthanized as soon as possible as a precaution, and will be composted on-site. While LPAI poses no risk to human health, federal and state policy is to eradicate H5 and H7 subtypes because of their potential to change into more serious types, which have a higher mortality rate among birds.
The turkeys did not show any signs of illness prior to testing, and the presence of A.I. antibodies does not pose a health risk to humans or other birds. The state, along with the poultry industry, is closely monitoring all poultry operations within a six-mile radius of the affected farm.
The poultry industry in Virginia already maintains strict biosecurity in all aspects of production, from hatchery to farm to processing plant. It is now enhancing its biosecurity measures throughout Virginia to avoid transmission of any potential virus to other farms. http://www.vdacs.virginia.gov/news/r...070907ai.shtml

[Sharpe]

Re: U.S. - Virginia - Possible Avian Flu Detected [in turkeys]

http://www.dnronline.com/news_details.php?AID=11098&CHID=1

<table border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%"> <tbody><tr><td valign="top"><table border="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td valign="top" width="80%">

Signs Of Avian Flu Found In Valley</td> <td align="right" valign="top" width="20%">Posted 2007-07-09</td> </tr> </tbody></table> </td> </tr> <tr> <td> More Than 50,000 Birds Involved On Valley Farm

</td> </tr> <tr> <td>By Hannah Northey

</td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top">

Poultry farmers and state officials are ramping up testing and surveillance of poultry farms after more than 50,000 turkeys on an unidentified farm west of Mount Jackson tested positive for avian flu antibodies Friday, officials say.
The turkeys tested positive for antibodies of low pathogenic avian flu and will be killed and composted on-site as soon as possible, said Hobey Bauhan, president of the Virginia Poultry Federation.
To prevent spread of the virus, more testing and surveillance will be conducted within a 6-mile radius of the farm and at the more than 1,000 poultry farms in the Valley, Bauhan said.
"We?re ramping up testing to make sure it hasn?t spread," he said. "Anyone who has involvement with poultry farms shouldn?t visit and should abide by strict biosecurity standards."
Not A Threat To Humans
The turkeys, which were ready to be sent to the slaughterhouse, tested positive during a routine "preslaughter" test Friday, Bauhan said.
The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services conducts blood tests on flocks statewide to test for the virus before the birds are sent to processing plants, Bauhan said.
On Saturday, the USDA?s National Veterinary Services Laboratory in Ames, Iowa, confirmed the presence of antibodies that indicate possible prior exposure to the H5 viral strain, according to a press release.
Avian flu spreads when infected birds shed the virus through saliva, nasal secretions and feces, and other birds have contact with contaminated secretions or excretions, according to the Centers for Disease Control.
The strain is not the severe, highly pathogenic one that has caused widespread flock destruction and some human cases overseas, Bauhan said.
"This strain doesn?t have any effect
on people and it produces only mild symptoms, if any, in birds," he said.
Although the subtype of avian flu found in the turkeys poses no risk to human health, federal and state officials are concerned that the strain can change into a more pathogenic form that causes higher mortality in birds, according to a press release.
In April, a low-pathogen strain of avian flu was found on a farm in Pendleton County, W.Va. Tests on commercial flocks within six miles were conducted and the flock was destroyed to prevent the strain from mutating into a higher pathogen.
Poultry Industry Staying Vigilant
Bauhan said the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services began conducting preslaughter tests in 2002 after a similar strain hit the Valley, costing farmers $130 million on nearly 200 farms, and the death of 4.7 million birds.
He said before 2002, birds were regularly tested for avian flu at the slaughterhouses.
Now, he said, they can?t leave the farm before they?re cleared of the virus through blood tests or tracheal swabs.
"This shows that our testing programs are working," he said. "We test all flocks for avian flu before they?re marketed and go to the processing plant."
According to the CDC, there is a risk to people who have contact with infected birds or surfaces contaminated with secretions or excretions.
There are three known subtypes of the influenza virus currently circulating among humans, which can cause symptoms that range from regular flu-like symptoms to pneumonia, severe respiratory diseases and other life-threatening complications, according to the CDC.
Bauhan said that only the most essential farm visits should take place right now, and that farmers and visitors should abide by strict biosecurity standards.
"Avian flu has the potential to spread and we have to work together to make sure it doesn?t happen by being conscious," he said.
Contact Hannah Northey at 574-6274 or hnorthey@dnronline.com
</td></tr></tbody> </table>

[Treyfish]

Re: U.S. - Virginia - Possible Avian Flu Detected [in turkeys]

Avian Flu and Farmers
Valley
Reporter: Shane Symolon
Email Address: ssymolon@whsv.com
<!--numParagraphs : 15 -->Its farmers that often take the hardest hit when Avian Flu strikes.
A mild form of avian flu was found at a farm in Shenandoah County this weekend.
The flock will be contained and destroyed, officials say.
<SCRIPT language=Javascript type=text/javascript>if (self['plpm'] && plpm['Mid-Story Ad']) document.write('<table style=\"float : right;\" border=\"0\"><tbody><tr><td align=\"center\" valign=\"bottom\">');if (self['plpm'] && plpm['Mid-Story Ad']){ document.write(plpm['Mid-Story Ad']);} else { if(self['plurp'] && plurp['97']){} else {document.write('<scr'+'ipt language="Javascript" type="text/javascript" src="http://cas.clickability.com/cas/cas.js?r='+Math.random()+'&p=97&c=6500&m=62&d=2159 7&pre=%3Ctable+style%3D%22float+%3A+right%3B%22+bo rder%3D%220%22%3E%3Ctbody%3E%3Ctr%3E%3Ctd+align%3D %22center%22+valign%3D%22bottom%22%3E&post=%3C%2Ft d%3E%3C%2Ftr%3E%3C%2Ftbody%3E%3C%2Ftable%3E"></scr'+'ipt>'); } }if (self['plpm'] && plpm['Mid-Story Ad']) document.write('</td></tr></tbody></table>');</SCRIPT><TABLE style="FLOAT: right" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=bottom align=middle></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>They'll be checking their flocks and preventing them from somehow spreading the disease.
Mild Bird Flu Outbreaks aren't dangerous to the public if contained.
"The public should have no concerns about the quality of poultry, I mean this just shows how good our surveillance is, its working, it caught this before any of the poultry entered the food chain," says Hobey Bauhan, President of the Virginia Poultry Federation.
The virus can cost farmers a lot of money.
"Avian influenza strikes fear in farmers because of the devastating effect it can have economically, this area has experienced an avian influenza outbreak in the past, in 2002 that was devastating economically to farmers," says Bauhan.
After the infected flock is euthanized either with carbon dioxide or a firefighter foam mixture experts turn to making sure the disease hasn't spread to other farms.
"Within a 6 mile radius of this flock there will be extensive, intensive testing in investigation of other poultry there to make sure it has not spread."
They'll also increase testing around the valley.
Farms are on high alert which means no one goes in or out.
Even if those tests come back negative farmers will still be taking extra precaution, for months to come.
"We just have a prevention and rapid response plan for enhanced surveillance for an certain period in time after the final detected case and hopefully this will be the only case."
There is relief for farmers who are victim of bird flu through the Federal Government but it only helps with expenses not lost time on the farm.

http://www.whsv.com/news/headlines/8383277.html

[Jonesie]

Re: U.S. - Virginia - Possible Avian Flu Detected [in turkeys]

On another front, Virginia VDH is moving along at a steady pace with their Pandemic Planning efforts:

http://www.vdh.virginia.gov/Pandemic...vityReport.pdf

MORE REPORTS:

http://www.vdh.virginia.gov/PandemicFlu/ActivityReports.asp

[hawkeye]

Re: U.S. - Virginia - Possible Avian Flu Detected [in turkeys]

Key phrase in red. What temperatures must be reached to destroy the virus?

Turkey farm could have avian flu

Associated Press - July 9, 2007 8:55 AM ET

HARRISONBURG, Va. (AP) - More than 50,000 turkeys on an unidentified farm west of Mount Jackson tested positive for avian flu antibodies.

Virginia Poultry Federation president Hobey Bauhan (baun) says the turkeys were ready to be sent to the slaughterhouse and tested positive on Friday in a routine test for antibodies of low pathogenic avian flu.

On Saturday, the USDA confirmed the presence of antibodies that indicated possible prior exposure to the H-5 viral strain. Bauhan says a similar strain hit the Shenandoah Valley in 2002, costing farmers $130 million.

Bauhan says this strain is not the severe, highly pathogenic one that has caused widespread flock destruction and some human cases overseas. He says the turkeys that tested positive on Friday were to be killed and composted on-site as soon as possible.

Bauhan says more testing and surveillance will be conducted within a six-mile radius of the farm to prevent the virus from spreading.

He says farmers in the area should abide by strict biosecurity standards.

[Farmer]

Re: U.S. - Virginia - Possible Avian Flu Detected [in turkeys]

OK, I'm confused.

How can you differentiate LP H5 from HP H5 by antibodies? Isn't the surface glycoprotein the same? I thought the only way to differentiate was by sequencing virus...

[Snicklefritz]

Re: U.S. - Virginia - Possible Avian Flu Detected [in turkeys]

What concerns me is that they found antibodies, but have not said when and how the infection occured. Is the infection current and ongoing? If not then the infection occured at some time in the past. How do they know it didn't get into the food chain? If bio-security measures are effective, how did these birds become infected in the first place?

So, I guess I should feel better that their bio-security broke down, but they discovered the infection after the fact. But, all is well because it for sure didn't make it into the food chain.

[Niko]

Re: U.S. - Virginia - Possible Avian Flu Detected [in turkeys]

Corrected: For reference to previous turkey farm outbreak in Pendleton County, WV... this latest case near Mt Jackson is about 50 miles away. Map link: http://maps.google.com/maps?daddr=Un...UTF8&z=10&om=1

[Farmer]

Re: U.S. - Virginia - Possible Avian Flu Detected [in turkeys]

What concerns me is that they found antibodies, but have not said when and how the infection occured. Is the infection current and ongoing? If not then the infection occured at some time in the past. How do they know it didn't get into the food chain? If bio-security measures are effective, how did these birds become infected in the first place?

So, I guess I should feel better that their bio-security broke down, but they discovered the infection after the fact. But, all is well because it for sure didn't make it into the food chain.

Yeah, I guess my point is, they are very quick to claim definitive LPAI infection. Do you think that the assumption is because the birds are still alive that it is by default LP? That an exposure to HPAI would have been detected by a mortality event, not by serological surveillance?

[HenryN]

Re: U.S. - Virginia - Possible Avian Flu Detected [in turkeys]

OK, I'm confused.

How can you differentiate LP H5 from HP H5 by antibodies? Isn't the surface glycoprotein the same? I thought the only way to differentiate was by sequencing virus...

Actually, the LP H5 in North America is quite a bit different (antigenically) than HP Qinghai H5, so antisera tested in parallel would give a lower titer on Qinghia, if indeed the turkeys had LP H5 American antibodies.

However, such a test is well beyond the level of sophistication used in these screening assay, so the LP declaration is based on vigorous hand waving (as is almost evrything that is H5N1 related - no science required).

[Johnny Yuma]

Re: U.S. - Virginia - Possible Avian Flu Detected [in turkeys]

Special Announcement from V.A. DACS on Avian Flu


Effective immediately, Dr. Richard Wilkes, State Veterinarian with the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, has canceled all public sales, shows, and exhibitions of live poultry throughout Virginia and has prohibited land application of poultry litter, manure or bedding in 17 Virginia counties. The cancellation order is due to the discovery of antibodies for avian influenza during routine pre-slaughter testing on a flock of turkeys in Shenandoah County. The prohibition against shows and sales is effective statewide and will remain in effect until July 30, 2007 unless extended by the State Veterinarian.

Dr. Wilkes has also ordered that no poultry litter, manure or bedding removed from poultry houses may be land-applied at any location or moved from the farm of origin in the following counties: Albemarle, Alleghany, Augusta, Bath, Clarke, Culpeper, Frederick, Greene, Highland, Madison, Orange, Page, Rappahannock, Rockbridge, Rockingham, Shenandoah and Warren from July 9, 2007 through July 30, 2007. This Order of Cancellation will allow for the completion of initial surveillance to determine if poultry flocks within the Commonwealth are at an increased risk of disease from avian influenza.

While avian influenza is not harmful to humans, people can spread it on their shoes, with their vehicles or through movement of litter. An infected chicken, turkey, game bird, or waterfowl at an event could infect other birds, which would then carry the disease back to their points of origin.

The Department's Web site has additional information about avian influenza, including the full text of the cancellation proclamation.

http://www.whsv.com/news/headlines/8395257.html

[Johnny Yuma]

Re: U.S. - Virginia - Possible Avian Flu Detected [in turkeys]

West Virgina cancels shows as well---good move...


W.Va. suspends shows, sales after avian flu found in Va.
By the Associated Press
July 9, 2007
CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- West Virginia's annual poultry festival was canceled Monday after the state was placed under a 30-day order suspending all poultry shows and sales following the discovery of avian influenza in a Virginia turkey flock.

Although the virus has not been found in West Virginia, the state Poultry Association decided to cancel the five-day festival because area poultry farmers attending the festival might unwittingly transport the virus to other farmers, said Emily Funk, the association's executive secretary.

"When we have an avian outbreak like this we try not to get together," she said. "Try not to go to the grocery store. We try not to associate with each other."

The festival is held in Moorefield, which will go ahead with its carnival and golf tournament for nonfarming residents. What will be missing is the beauty pageant and various education dinners and activities sponsored by the association, she said.

It's at least the second time since the 1980s that the festival has been canceled, she said.

State Agriculture Commissioner Gus Douglass said the low pathogenicity avian influenza found in a turkey flock in Mt. Jackson, Va., about 71 miles southeast of Moorefield, is not the same as the bird flu found in Southeast Asia, Europe and other countries.

The state order does not involve commercial poultry operations because the birds are tested for the virus before being moved off the farm.

In April, the virus was found at a Pendleton County turkey farm. Officials destroyed the farm's 25,000 turkeys. Douglass said the 54,000 turkeys on the Virginia farm will be destroyed as a precaution.

http://www.dailypress.com/news/local/virginia/dp-wv--poultryrestrictio0709jul09,0,7771587.story?coll=dp-headlines-virginia

[Sally Furniss]

Re: U.S. - Virginia - Possible Avian Flu Detected [in turkeys]

Movement, Sale of Poultry And Litter Restricted Statewide

By Hannah Northey

http://www.dnronline.com/news_details.php?AID=11117&CHID=1

HARRISONBURG ? State officials hope to clip the wings of a possible avian flu outbreak in the Valley by canceling public events and sales involving live poultry, and prohibiting the application of poultry litter in 17 counties until the end of the month.

The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services is calling for the measures in response to Friday?s discovery of avian flu antibodies in a flock of 54,000 turkeys on an unidentified Shenandoah County farm. The antibodies were found in the birds, located on a farm west of Mount Jackson, during a "preslaughter" test.

Elaine Lidholm, director of communication for VDAC, said the U.S. Department of Agriculture?s National Veterinary Services Laboratory in Ames, Iowa, is still trying to isolate the virus, and may identify what?s causing the antibodies today.

"The state doesn?t wait for confirmatory results because time is of the essence," Lidholm said.

Birds within a 6-mile radius of the farm have tested negative for the antibodies so far, said Hobey Bauhan, president of the Virginia Poultry Federation.

But Lidholm said the extra precautions are necessary because the detected antibodies match characteristics of H5, a low pathogenic strain of avian influenza that has the ability to mutate into a highly pathogenic form.

The scare has widespread implications in Rockingham County, which remains one of the top poultry producers in the nation, according to Bauhan.

Neighboring West Virginia also has responded by suspending all poultry shows and sales for the next 30 days, according to The Associated Press.

Code Red

Poultry farms are on "code red" security alerts, Lidholm said, and have stepped up surveillance, monitoring and biosecurity measures.

She said the farm where the virus was detected, which could not be identified due to security concerns, is under quarantine and that only workers can enter or leave the premises.

Bauhan said the flock owner is working with Virginia Department of Environmental Quality, USDA, VDAC and Shenandoah County officials to exterminate the birds properly and compost the carcasses. The composting process, which Bauhan said will produce a substance free of the virus, can be applied to the land.

Lidholm said officials will exterminate the birds this evening because they are concerned about people working in daytime temperatures forecast to reach the mid-90s.

"Normally, we would?ve put that flock down already," she said.

The flock owner and state officials are following standards established by the Virginia Poultry Disease Task Force, a group that formed after bird flu hit the Valley in April 2002, Bauhan said.

During that outbreak, the virus cost Virginia farmers $130 million on nearly 200 farms and the death of 4.7 million birds.

Bird Flu Blues

Lidholm said the restrictions on poultry shows and sales, which could be extended if necessary, will affect flea markets, 4-H competitions, commercial sales and country fairs that run from July to August.

But poultry-litter haulers may be hit even harder.

State Veterinarian Richard Wilkes ordered that no poultry litter, manure or bedding removed from poultry houses be applied to land at any location or moved from the farm of origin in 17 counties until July 30. Affected counties include Rockingham, Shenandoah, Page and Augusta, according to a press release.

Officials hope the restrictions will limit the spread of the virus, which can spread through infected birds? saliva, nasal secretions and feces, which other birds then come in contact with, according to the Centers for Disease Control.

But Mark Deavers of Broadway, manager of Deavers Lime and Litter, said it?s unfair to restrict poultry-litter application and not the birds being sent to the processing plants.

"If the birds are good enough to go to market, the manure is good enough to spread," Deavers said.

Deavers, who operates four trucks that move 1,000 pounds of poultry litter a month along Interstate 81 from Winchester to Roanoke, said he?ll have to house the litter at storage sheds on the farms where it is produced until the end of July.

He said he?ll have to pay $6 for every ton he stores in the sheds, in addition to losing $20,000 a month while his trucks are idled.

"The trucks will have to sit and I?ll have to see if I can make the payments," he said. "I?ll just have to dig it all back out in a month and put it back on the trucks."

But Bauhan said the measures are necessary to prevent an outbreak and that restrictions on the movement of litter could be lifted once tests show the virus isn?t spreading.

"In the early days, we need to do whatever we can to make sure this doesn?t turn into a widespread outbreak," he said.

For More Information

To find out more about safety on the farm, visit www.vapoultry.com.

Contact Hannah Northey at 574-6274 or hnorthey@dnronline.com

[Sally Furniss]

Re: U.S. - Virginia - Possible Avian Flu Detected [in turkeys]

Virginia Turkeys Exposed to Mild H5 Bird Flu Virus, Tests Show

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601202&sid=a3.2_oojt8ig&refer=healthcare

By Jason Gale

July 10 (Bloomberg) -- Turkeys in Virginia were probably infected with a form of bird flu that doesn't pose a threat to humans, tests showed.

Poultry from a flock of 54,000 birds in Shenandoah County tested positive last week for antibodies against an H5 avian influenza subtype, State Veterinarian Richard Wilkes said in a statement yesterday on the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Web site. The National Veterinary Services Laboratory in Ames, Iowa, confirmed the finding, which was made as part of routine testing of poultry flocks before slaughter.

``This is almost certainly one of the many milder strains of avian flu that are not uncommon in poultry and that cause only minor sickness or no noticeable symptoms in birds,'' Wilkes said. The presence of avian influenza antibodies doesn't pose a health risk to humans or other birds, he said.

Veterinary officials try to eradicate outbreaks caused by H5 and H7 subtypes because these viruses have the potential to change into more serious strains capable of killing most of the birds infected. A highly pathogenic strain known as H5N1 has caused the deaths of almost 300 million poultry in 60 countries, mostly in Asia.

The H5N1 strain has also killed 191 of the 317 people known to have contracted the virus, according to the World Health Organization's tally, last updated on June 29. Health officials say it may kill millions of people if it mutates into a pandemic form that's as contagious as seasonal flu.

No Symptoms

The turkeys in Virginia didn't show any signs of illness before testing. The U.S. Department of Agriculture hasn't yet identified the virus that caused the birds to produce the antibodies, Wilkes said.

Further testing is under way to help identify the virus and determine its source. The infected flock will be destroyed as soon as possible as a precaution, he said.

``The state, along with the poultry industry, is closely monitoring all poultry operations within a six-mile radius of the affected farm,'' Wilkes said. ``No affected birds entered or will enter the food chain and poultry products are safe to eat.''

West Virginia health officials culled about 25,000 turkeys in April after a flock on a farm was struck by a strain identified as H5N2.

To contact the reporter on this story: Jason Gale in Singapore at j.gale@bloomberg.net