AVIAN INFLUENZA, (LPAI) POULTRY - USA (03): (NEBRASKA)

******************************************************
A ProMED-mail post

ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases


Date: 14 Apr 2011
Source: US AG Net [edited]



NDA Quarantines Backyard Flocks Due to Low Path Avian Flu
---------------------------------------------------------
State Veterinarian Dr. Dennis Hughes has placed several backyard
mixed bird flocks under quarantine after receiving confirmation of a
case of low pathogenic avian influenza (LPAI) in a backyard flock in
Eastern Nebraska. A Nebraska Department of Agriculture (NDA) Bureau of
Animal Industry staff member detected the LPAI case through routine
testing conducted at a recent exotic bird sale.

"Low path avian influenza commonly occurs in wild birds, and so we
conduct routine testing of backyard flocks because those flocks often
are exposed to the outdoors," Hughes said. "Upon confirmation of the
LPAI case, we quickly determined where the birds originated from and
where the birds were dispersed to through the exotic bird sale. We
have no reason to believe this case is anything other than an isolated
incident."

"This is low-path Avian Influenza which isn't usually a human health
concern," said Dr. Joann Schaefer, the state's Chief Medical Officer
and Director of Public Health for the Nebraska Department of Health
and Human Services. "Low-path avian influenza is very different than
the high-path (H5N1) avian influenza that continues to circulate
overseas and is a cause for concern."

The backyard flock in which the LPAI was discovered (the initial
flock) has been quarantined and will be depopulated based on United
States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health
Inspection Service (APHIS) protocol. Hughes said owners of 5
additional backyard flocks in Eastern Nebraska purchased birds from
the initial flock at the exotic bird sale. So far, 5 of these flocks
tested positive for LPAI and also will be depopulated. Backyard flocks
that are within a 2-mile radius of the 3 infected flocks currently are
being quarantined and will undergo testing.

"A backyard flock typically consists of hobby birds, show birds or
birds used for personal consumption," said Susan Joy, the general
manager of Nebraska Poultry Industries.

NDA encourages all backyard flock producers to follow biosecurity
measures on their operations, including: requiring individuals to wash
their hands before and after contact with birds; avoid contact with
neighbors' birds; and disinfect boots and change clothes that come
into contact with birds other than your own.

NDA conducts avian influenza testing as part of a cooperative
agreement with the United States Department of Agriculture. Producers
who are interested in having their flocks tested, free of charge, can
call the NDA.

Additional information about avian influenza, NDA's testing program,
and biosecurity measures can be viewed at .

--
Communicated by:
HealthMap Alerts via ProMED-mail


[This article does not tell us what strain of avian influenza was
found. Not all low pathogenic strains are reportable to the OIE.
This article mentions exotic bird sale. This may mean it is a swap
meet where a variety birds are traded, sold, exchanged in a community
market situation.

There will likely be an investigation to determine how many birds may
have the disease and how far they may have been transported.

ProMED-mail would be grateful if the Nebraska officials or USDA
officials would publish which strain of avian influenza this was. -
Mod.TG]

[see also:
Avian influenza (LPAI), poultry - USA (02): (MO) 20110402.1025
Avian influenza (LPAI), poultry - USA: (MO) - H7, OIE 20110402.1019
2009
----
Avian influenza (LPAI), poultry - USA (05): (TN) 20090514.1810
Avian influenza (LPAI), poultry - USA (04): (TN) 20090512.1773
Avian influenza (LPAI), poultry - USA (03): (TN) 20090505.1682
Avian influenza (LPAI), poultry - USA (02): (KY), H7N9
20090408.1361
Avian influenza (LPAI), poultry - USA (KY): H7 20090405.1314
2008
----
Avian influenza (72): USA (AR), LPAI H7 20080604.1782
Avian influenza H7 - North America: human receptor 20080527.1728
2006
----
Avian influenza - USA (NJ): LPAI susp. 20060430.1257
2004
----
Avian influenza, H7, poultry - USA (DE, MD) 20040412.0993
Avian influenza, poultry, H7 - USA (MD) (02) 20040309.0665]
.................................................sb/tg/ejp/lm
*##########################################################*
************************************************************
ProMED-mail makes every effort to verify the reports that
are posted, but the accuracy and completeness of the
information, and of any statements or opinions based
thereon, are not guaranteed. The reader assumes all risks in
using information posted or archived by ProMED-mail. ISID
and its associated service providers shall not be held
responsible for errors or omissions or held liable for any
damages incurred as a result of use or reliance upon posted
or archived material.
************************************************************
Donate to ProMED-mail. Details available at:

************************************************************
Visit ProMED-mail's web site at .
Send all items for posting to: promed@promedmail.org (NOT to
an individual moderator). If you do not give your full name
name and affiliation, it may not be posted. You may unsub-
scribe at .
For assistance from a human being, send mail to:
.
############################################################
############################################################