Different strains of bird flu virus striking Asia, Europe, Middle East, E. Africa, N. America
- Details of Alert are available from FIRE-EARTH PULSARS.
Posts Tagged ‘H5N8’
FIRE-EARTH Alert: Avian Influenza
Posted by feww on January 15, 2017
Posted in News Alert | Tagged: Avian influenza, Fire-Earth Alert, FIRE-EARTH PULSARS, H5N1, H5N8, H7N9, HPAI H5N2, V ALERT | Leave a Comment »
FIRE-EARTH Alert: Global Outbreaks of Avian Influenza (UD5)
Posted by feww on December 19, 2016
Major Outbreaks of Avian Influenza in Europe, Asia and N. America – Update #5
- Highly Pathogenic Asian Avian Influenza A (H5N1) Virus
- Influenza A subtypes infecting humans and pigs: H3N2 and H1N1 viruses
- Avian Influenza A(H5N6) Viruses in Humans
- Influenza A subtypes infecting horses: H7N7 and H3N8 viruses
- HPAI H5 Outbreaks
- Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza A(H5N8) Viruses
- Influenza A (H7N9)
- Details of the Alert are available from FIRE-EARTH PULSARS.
Posted in News Alert | Tagged: Avian influenza, Avian Influenza virus, Fire-Earth Alert, FIRE-EARTH PULSARS, FIRE-EARTH Science Team, H5N6, H5N8 | Leave a Comment »
FIRE-EARTH Alert: Global Outbreaks of Avian Influenza
Posted by feww on November 29, 2016
Major Outbreaks of Avian Influenza in Europe, Asia and N. America – Update #4
- Highly Pathogenic Asian Avian Influenza A (H5N1) Virus
- Influenza A subtypes infecting humans and pigs: H3N2 and H1N1 viruses
- Avian Influenza A(H5N6) Viruses in Humans
- Influenza A subtypes infecting horses: H7N7 and H3N8 viruses
- HPAI H5 Outbreaks
- Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza A(H5N8) Viruses
- Influenza A (H7N9)
- Details of the Alert are available from FIRE-EARTH PULSARS.
Posted in News Alert | Tagged: Avian influenza, Avian Influenza virus, Fire-Earth Alert, FIRE-EARTH PULSARS, FIRE-EARTH Science Team, H5N6, H5N8 | Leave a Comment »
FIRE-EARTH Alert: H5N8
Posted by feww on November 11, 2016
- Affiliates
- CJ Members
- EAC
- OC Teams
FIRE-EARTH Alert: H5N8 Avian Influenza
- Details of the Alert are available from FIRE-EARTH PULSARS.
- Affiliates may be provided with details of the Alert at Members’ discretion.
Posted in News Alert | Tagged: 001111, Avian influenza, bird flu, CJ Members, Fire-Earth Alert, FIRE-EARTH PULSARS, H5N8 | Leave a Comment »
46.8 Million Birds Affected as Michigan Confirms Avian Flu
Posted by feww on June 9, 2015
21 States Report Avian Influenza
Since December 2014, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has confirmed cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5 in the Pacific, Central, and Mississippi flyways (or migratory bird paths). The disease has severely affected commercial poultry and backyard flocks.
Infected Commercial Flocks. Commercial flocks have been infected in at least 15 States: Arkansas, California, Idaho, Indiana (May 10, 2015), Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska (May 11, 2015), North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Washington and Wisconsin.
Update on Avian Influenza Findings – Poultry Findings Confirmed by USDA’s National Veterinary Services Laboratories
- Birds Affected: 46,824,393
- Detections Reported: 219 [previously 162]
- First Detection Reported: 12/19/14
- Last Detection Reported: 6/5/15
- Flocks Pending Test Results: 15 Cases
- Source: APHIS/ USDA
Worst Affected Areas
- Iowa: 30,482,300 Birds Affected
- Minnesota: 8,970,150
- Nebraska: 3,794,100 (June 4, 2015)
- Wisconsin: 1,950,733 (May 5, 2015)
- South Dakota: 1,168,200 (June 1, 2015)
Michigan Reports First Case of Bird Flu
The Michigan DNR and the departments of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) have confirmed case of the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in the state.
“While this is disappointing news that the H5N2 virus has been found in Michigan’s free-ranging bird population, it was not unexpected given avian influenza has been found in a number of our neighboring states and Ontario,” said MDARD Director.
Michigan became the 21st state to report avian influenza, after three free-ranging Canada Goose goslings collected in Sterling Heights (Macomb County) tested positive for HPAI virus.
Avian influenza has not yet been detected in Michigan’s domestic poultry flocks, said MDARD.
Wild Flocks with Infection Found in at least 6 States: Kentucky, Michigan, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming.
Wild Bird HPAI Cases in the United States
A list prepared by National Flyway Council reports HPAI cases in wild bird flocks across the following states:
- CA, ID, KS, KY, MN, MO, NM, NV, OR, WA, WI and WY.
Key Points: HPAI H5 [CDC Influenza Division]
- Increased outreach, reporting and surveillance activities in the United States followed the detection of HPAI H5N2 among commercial poultry flocks in Canada in early December 2014.
- USDA has reported
- HPAI H5N8 virus in California, Idaho, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Nevada.
- HPAI H5N2 virus in Nebraska, Indiana, Washington, Idaho, Oregon, Minnesota, Missouri, Arkansas, Kansas, Wyoming, Montana, South Dakota, North Dakota, Wisconsin, Iowa and Kentucky.
- HPAI H5N1 virus in Washington.
- H5 virus in a wild bird in New Mexico, but diagnostic test did not determine the neuraminidase (NA).
- HPAI H5N8, HPAI H5N2 and HPAI H5N1 viruses with this combination of genes had not been detected previously in the United States.
A strain of avian flu, EA-H5N8, which had previously been found only in the Western U.S., was detected.
States of Emergency
Iowa’s Gov. Branstad has extended a State of Disaster Emergency Proclamation until July 1 as more farms continue to report new cases of the deadly avian flu virus in their poultry flocks.
Nebraska Gov. Ricketts proclaimed a state of emergency in May following the discovery of avian influenza in the state’s poultry sector, according to a statement posted on his website.
Background and Additional Links
- ‘Unprecedented’ Flu Outbreak Baffles Scientists April 22, 2015
- State of Emergency Declared in Dallas County due to Bird Flu May 9, 2015
- State of Emergency Declared in Nebraska in Bird Flu Epidemic May 15, 2015
- State of Disaster Emergency Extended in Iowa amid Rising Bird Flu Cases June 1, 2015
- 45 Million Birds Affected by Avian Flu in U.S. June 4, 2015
Posted in disaster watch | Tagged: Avian influenza, bird flu, commercial poultry flocks, H5N2, H5N8, HPAI, state of emergency | Leave a Comment »
45 Million Birds Affected by Avian Flu in U.S.
Posted by feww on June 4, 2015
Bird Flu Continues to Devastate US Poultry Industry
Infected Commercial Flocks. Commercial flocks have been infected in at least 15 States: Arkansas, California, Idaho, Indiana (May 10, 2015), Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska (May 11, 2015), North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Washington and Wisconsin.
Update on Avian Influenza Findings – Poultry Findings Confirmed by USDA’s National Veterinary Services Laboratories
- Detections Reported: 207
- Birds Affected: 45,027,793
- First Detection Reported: December 19, 2014
- Last Detection Reported: June 2, 2015
- No of Flocks pending tests: 14
Worst Affected Areas
- Iowa: 29,261,400 Birds Affected
- Minnesota: 8,394,450
- Nebraska: 3,794,100
- Wisconsin: 1,950,733
- South Dakota: 1,168,200
States of Emergency
Iowa’s Gov. Branstad has extended a State of Disaster Emergency Proclamation until July 1 as more farms continue to report new cases of the deadly avian flu virus in their poultry flocks.
Nebraska Gov. Ricketts proclaimed a state of emergency in May following the discovery of avian influenza in the state’s poultry sector, according to a statement posted on his website.
Background and Additional Links
Posted in Disaster News, disaster watch | Tagged: avian flu, bird flu, H5N2, H5N8, HPAI, Iowa, major disaster, Minnesota, Nebraska, poultry industry, state of emergency | Leave a Comment »
State of Disaster Emergency Extended in Iowa amid Rising Bird Flu Cases
Posted by feww on June 1, 2015
44.6 Million Birds Affected by Deadly Avian Flu Viruses in U.S.
Iowa’s Gov. Branstad has extended a State of Disaster Emergency Proclamation until July 1 as more farms continue to report new cases of the deadly avian flu virus in their poultry flocks. The Proclmation was due to expire on May 31, 2015.
Update on Avian Influenza Findings – Poultry Findings Confirmed by USDA’s National Veterinary Services Laboratories
- Birds Affected: 44,612,573 [up from 33,521,073; additional cases pending]
- Detections Reported: 197 [previously 162]
- First Detection Reported: December 19, 2014
- Last Detection Reported: May 28, 2015 [previously reported on May 13, 2015]
Infected Commercial Flocks
Commercial flocks have been infected in at least 15 States: Arkansas, California, Idaho, Indiana (May 10, 2015), Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska (May 11, 2015), North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Washington and Wisconsin.
The majority of the infections have been reported in the state of Iowa, with 29,095,500 birds affected [up from 24,815,500 on May 13,] across 18 counties, and at least 6 additional flocks being tested for the deadly virus(es).
- Minnesota has the second highest number of infections, with 8,220,760 birds affected.
- Nebraska has 3,794,100 affected birds.
-
Wisconsin reported 1,950,733 birds.
- South Dakota has 1,116,200 affected birds.
Wild Flocks with Infection Found in at least 5 States: Kentucky, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming.
Wild Bird HPAI Cases in the United States
A list prepared by National Flyway Council reports HPAI cases in wild bird flocks across the following states:
- CA, ID, KS, KY, MN, MO, NM, NV, OR, WA, WI and WY.
Key Points: HPAI H5 [CDC Influenza Division]
- Increased outreach, reporting and surveillance activities in the United States followed the detection of HPAI H5N2 among commercial poultry flocks in Canada in early December 2014.
- USDA has reported
- HPAI H5N8 virus in California, Idaho, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Nevada.
- HPAI H5N2 virus in Nebraska, Indiana, Washington, Idaho, Oregon, Minnesota, Missouri, Arkansas, Kansas, Wyoming, Montana, South Dakota, North Dakota, Wisconsin, Iowa and Kentucky.
- HPAI H5N1 virus in Washington.
- H5 virus in a wild bird in New Mexico, but diagnostic test did not determine the neuraminidase (NA).
- HPAI H5N8, HPAI H5N2 and HPAI H5N1 viruses with this combination of genes had not been detected previously in the United States.
A strain of avian flu, EA-H5N8, which had previously been found only in the Western U.S., was detected in a backyard mixed poultry flock in Whitley County, Indiana on May 11, APHIS reported.
WILD BIRD HIGHLY PATHOGENIC AVIAN INFLUENZA [Last updated by APHIS on May 14, 2013]
Background and Additional Links
- ‘Unprecedented’ Flu Outbreak Baffles Scientists April 22, 2015
- State of Emergency Declared in Dallas County due to Bird Flu May 9, 2015
- State of Emergency Declared in Nebraska in Bird Flu Epidemic May 15, 2015
Posted in Disaster News, disaster watch | Tagged: APHIS, Avian influenza, bird flu, H5N2, H5N8, HPAI, Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, poultry, state of disaster emergency, state of emergency | Leave a Comment »
State of Emergency Declared in Nebraska in Bird Flu Epidemic
Posted by feww on May 15, 2015
UPDATED
USDA reporting H5 bird flu virus detections in 20 U.S. states
Gov. Ricketts has proclaimed a state of emergency following the discovery of avian influenza in Nebraska’s poultry sector, according to a statement posted on his website.
[Nebraska is now the fourth US state to declare a state of emergency due to the rapidly spreading bird flu epidemic. The three other states are Iowa, Minnesota and Wisconsin.]
“The Nebraska Department of Agriculture is coordinating with several state agencies for a thorough, expeditious response,” said Ricketts.
USDA is reporting H5 bird flu virus detections in 20 U.S. states; 15 states with outbreaks in poultry and 5 states with H5 detections in wild birds only.
The Nebraska Department of Agriculture (NDA) and USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) have confirmed the presence of a second case of highly pathogenic H5N2 avian influenza (HPAI) in a commercial layer flock in Dixon County. The second farm (referred to as Dixon 2) is in close proximity to the initial farm (referred to as Dixon 1) identified on May 12, 2015.
Dixon 2 is a flock of 1.8 million chickens. [Dixon 1 is believed to be a flock of 1.7 million birds.]
“Having a second farm in Nebraska confirmed to have HPAI is unfortunate but not completely unexpected. This follows the pattern we’ve seen in other states when it comes to the spread of the virus,” said NDA Director.
Both farms are under quarantine, and the birds on both properties will be depopulated, the NDA Director added.
“A perimeter has been established around Dixon 2, and as is the USDA protocol, NDA will be visiting all locations within a 6.2 mile radius of the farm that have poultry to conduct testing. Due to the proximity of Dixon 2 to Dixon 1, the 6.2 mile radius overlaps significantly,” said NDA.
Update on Avian Influenza Findings – Poultry Findings Confirmed by USDA’s National Veterinary Services Laboratories
- Birds Affected: 33,521,073 [additional cases pending]
- Detections Reported: 162 (previously 142)
- First Detection Reported: December 19, 2014
- Last Detection Reported: May 13, 2015
Commercial Flocks Infected in at least 15 States: Arkansas, California, Idaho, Indiana (May 10, 2015), Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska (May 11, 2015), North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Washington and Wisconsin.
Majority of the infections have been reported in the state of Iowa, with 24,815,500 birds affected, and at least 6 additional flocks being tested for the deadly virus(es).
Wild Flocks with Infection Found in at least 5 States: Kentucky, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming.
Wild Bird HPAI Cases in the United States
A list prepared by National Flyway Council reports HPAI cases in wild bird flocks across the following states:
- CA, ID, KS, KY, MN, MO, NM, NV, OR, WA, WI and WY.
Key Points: HPAI H5 [CDC Influenza Division]
- Increased outreach, reporting and surveillance activities in the United States followed the detection of HPAI H5N2 among commercial poultry flocks in Canada in early December 2014.
- USDA has reported
- HPAI H5N8 virus in California, Idaho, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Nevada.
- HPAI H5N2 virus in Nebraska, Indiana, Washington, Idaho, Oregon, Minnesota, Missouri, Arkansas, Kansas, Wyoming, Montana, South Dakota, North Dakota, Wisconsin, Iowa and Kentucky.
- HPAI H5N1 virus in Washington.
- H5 virus in a wild bird in New Mexico, but diagnostic test did not determine the neuraminidase (NA).
- HPAI H5N8, HPAI H5N2 and HPAI H5N1 viruses with this combination of genes had not been detected previously in the United States.
A strain of avian flu, EA-H5N8, which had previously been found only in the Western U.S., was detected in a backyard mixed poultry flock in Whitley County, Indiana on May 11, APHIS reported.
Background and Additional Links
Posted in News Alert | Tagged: APHIS, Avian influenza, bird flu, Dixon County, H5N2, H5N8, HPAI, Indiana, Iowa, Nebraska, poultry, Ricketts, state of emergency | Leave a Comment »
State of Emergency Declared in Nebraska due to Bird Flu
Posted by feww on May 15, 2015
USDA reporting H5 bird flu virus detections in 20 U.S. states
Gov. Ricketts has proclaimed a state of emergency following the discovery of avian influenza in Nebraska’s poultry sector, according to a statement posted on his website.
[Nebraska is now the fourth US state to declare a state of emergency due to the rapidly spreading bird flu epidemic. The three other states are Iowa, Minnesota and Wisconsin.]
“The Nebraska Department of Agriculture is coordinating with several state agencies for a thorough, expeditious response,” said Ricketts.
USDA is reporting H5 bird flu virus detections in 20 U.S. states; 15 states with outbreaks in poultry and 5 states with H5 detections in wild birds only.
The Nebraska Department of Agriculture (NDA) and USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) have confirmed the presence of a second case of highly pathogenic H5N2 avian influenza (HPAI) in a commercial layer flock in Dixon County. The second farm (referred to as Dixon 2) is in close proximity to the initial farm (referred to as Dixon 1) identified on May 12, 2015.
Dixon 2 is a flock of 1.8 million chickens. [Dixon 1 is believed to be a flock of 1.7 million birds.]
“Having a second farm in Nebraska confirmed to have HPAI is unfortunate but not completely unexpected. This follows the pattern we’ve seen in other states when it comes to the spread of the virus,” said NDA Director.
Both farms are under quarantine, and the birds on both properties will be depopulated, said NDA Director.
“A perimeter has been established around Dixon 2, and as is the USDA protocol, NDA will be visiting all locations within a 6.2 mile radius of the farm that have poultry to conduct testing. Due to the proximity of Dixon 2 to Dixon 1, the 6.2 mile radius overlaps significantly,” said NDA.
Update on Avian Influenza Findings – Poultry Findings Confirmed by USDA’s National Veterinary Services Laboratories
- Birds Affected: 33,521,073 [additional cases pending]
- Detections Reported: 162 (previously 142)
- First Detection Reported: December 19, 2014
- Last Detection Reported: May 13, 2015
Commercial Flocks Infected in at least 15 States: Arkansas, California, Idaho, Indiana (May 10, 2015), Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska (May 11, 2015), North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Washington and Wisconsin.
Majority of the infections have been reported in the state of Iowa, with 24,815,500 birds affected, and at least 6 additional flocks being tested for the deadly virus(es).
Wild Flocks with Infection Found in at least 5 States: Kentucky, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming.
Key Points: HPAI H5 [CDC Influenza Division]
- Increased outreach, reporting and surveillance activities in the United States followed the detection of HPAI H5N2 among commercial poultry flocks in Canada in early December 2014.
- USDA has reported
- HPAI H5N8 virus in California, Idaho, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Nevada.
- HPAI H5N2 virus in Nebraska, Indiana, Washington, Idaho, Oregon, Minnesota, Missouri, Arkansas, Kansas, Wyoming, Montana, South Dakota, North Dakota, Wisconsin, Iowa and Kentucky.
- HPAI H5N1 virus in Washington.
- H5 virus in a wild bird in New Mexico, but diagnostic test did not determine the neuraminidase (NA).
- HPAI H5N8, HPAI H5N2 and HPAI H5N1 viruses with this combination of genes had not been detected previously in the United States.
A strain of avian flu, EA-H5N8, which had previously been found only in the Western U.S., was detected in a backyard mixed poultry flock in Whitley County, Indiana on May 11, APHIS reported.
Background and Additional Links
Posted in News Alert | Tagged: APHIS, Avian influenza, bird flu, Dixon County, H5N2, H5N8, HPAI, Indiana, Iowa, Nebraska, poultry, Ricketts, state of emergency | Leave a Comment »
‘Unprecedented’ Flu Outbreak Baffles Scientists
Posted by feww on April 22, 2015
Millions of birds killed as AI spreads across 15 states
This is so unusual that we can’t help but think something different must be going on —avian medicine expert
A lethal strain of avian influenza (AI) has been detected at an egg-laying facility in NW Iowa, the top U.S. egg-producing state, forcing the health authorities to destroy millions of laying hens, according to USDA.
Iowa has a $2 billion egg-laying industry with about 50 million hens that supply 1 in every 5 eggs consumed across the U.S.
The latest outbreak has occurred at an egg production facility with at least 3.8 million laying hens in Osceola County, which has been placed under quarantine. The quarantine covers an area of about 10km (6 miles) around the farm, a division of Sonstegard Foods Co., based in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
The outbreak has also prompted Wisconsin to declare a state of emergency after three poultry flocks became infected in the past week.
There are now 15 states with infected birds: Arkansas, California, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington and Wisconsin.
As of Monday, at least 2.6 million birds had been killed.
The strain has also led to the deaths of at least 2.4 million turkeys nationwide (birds either killed by the disease or by authorities working to prevent the spread of virus).
“Authorities have confirmed N5N2 outbreaks at more than 30 commercial poultry farms in the Midwest, including 22 in Minnesota. All were turkey operations except for one chicken farm in Wisconsin,” said a report.
“Minnesota, the nation’s largest turkey producer, is the epicenter of the highly pathogenic H5N2 bird flu. The state annually produces about 46 million turkeys, meaning 4 to 5 percent of Minnesota’s annual production has now been affected by the flu,” said a report.
The virus can kill an entire flock within 48 hours, experts say.
AI spread from Asia to the Netherlands, Germany and Great Britain into the North American poultry farms.
Rapid spread of the virus has alarmed scientists who have so far been unable to unravel the mystery of how the deadly virus have infected so many turkey farms in such a short period of time, said a report.
“It’s been really troubling to understand how in the world this can possibly be happening,” said Carol Cardona, a professor of avian medicine at the University of Minnesota.
“This is so unusual that we can’t help but think something different must be going on,” she said.
“Since December 2014, the United States Department of Agriculture has confirmed several cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5 in the Pacific, Central, and Mississippi flyways (or migratory bird paths). The disease has been found in wild birds, as well as in a few backyard and commercial poultry flocks,” said USDA
“The H5N8 virus originated in Asia and spread rapidly along wild bird migratory pathways during 2014, including the Pacific flyway. In the Pacific flyway, the H5N8 virus has mixed with North American avian influenza viruses, creating new mixed-origin viruses. This is not unexpected. These mixed-origin viruses contain the Asian-origin H5 part of the virus, which is highly pathogenic to poultry. The N parts of these viruses came from North American low pathogenic avian influenza viruses.”
Posted in News Alert | Tagged: Avian influenza, bird flu, H5N8, HPAI H5, Iowa, Minnesota, Sonstegard Foods Co, state of emergency, Wisconsin | Leave a Comment »
U-S Bird Flu Outbreak Continues to Spread
Posted by feww on April 22, 2015
Millions of bird flu cases found in 15 states since December
A lethal strain of bird flu has been detected at an egg-laying facility in NW Iowa, the top U.S. egg-producing state, forcing the health authorities to begin destroying more than 5.3 3.8 million laying hens, according to USDA.
Iowa has a $2 billion egg-laying industry with about 50 million hens that supply 1 in every 5 eggs consumed across the U.S.
The outbreak has also prompted Wisconsin to declare a state of emergency after three poultry flocks became infected in the past week.
There are now 15 states with infected birds: Arkansas, California, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington and Wisconsin.
As of Monday, at least 2.6 million birds had been killed.
The strain has also led to the deaths of at least 2.4 million turkeys nationwide (birds either killed by the disease or by authorities working to prevent the spread of virus).
“Authorities have confirmed N5N2 outbreaks at more than 30 commercial poultry farms in the Midwest, including 22 in Minnesota. All were turkey operations except for one chicken farm in Wisconsin,” said a report.
“Minnesota, the nation’s largest turkey producer, is the epicenter of the highly pathogenic H5N2 bird flu. The state annually produces about 46 million turkeys, meaning 4 to 5 percent of Minnesota’s annual production has now been affected by the flu,” said a report.
The virus can kill an entire flock within 48 hours, experts say.
“Since December 2014, the United States Department of Agriculture has confirmed several cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5 in the Pacific, Central, and Mississippi flyways (or migratory bird paths). The disease has been found in wild birds, as well as in a few backyard and commercial poultry flocks,” said USDA
“The H5N8 virus originated in Asia and spread rapidly along wild bird migratory pathways during 2014, including the Pacific flyway. In the Pacific flyway, the H5N8 virus has mixed with North American avian influenza viruses, creating new mixed-origin viruses. This is not unexpected. These mixed-origin viruses contain the Asian-origin H5 part of the virus, which is highly pathogenic to poultry. The N parts of these viruses came from North American low pathogenic avian influenza viruses.”
Posted in News Alert | Tagged: Avian influenza, bird flu, H5N8, HPAI H5, Iowa, poultry, state of emergency, USDA, Wisconsin | Leave a Comment »
S. Korea Bans US Poultry Due to HPAI Concerns
Posted by feww on December 21, 2014
Highly Pathogenic H5 Avian Influenza Confirmed in Wild Birds in Washington State: USDA
South Korea has banned U.S. poultry imports following an outbreak of avian influenza (AI) in the US, said the Agriculture Ministry.
Authorities say the move is a “quarantine measure” to prevent the highly pathogenic (HPAI) virus from entering the country.
Highly pathogenic H5 avian influenza was confirmed in wild birds in Washington state—H5N2 detected in northern pintail ducks, and H5N8 found in captive gyrfalcons.
However, neither virus found in commercial poultry in U.S., and there’s no public health concern at this time, said USDA.
The United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) confirmed the presence of highly pathogenic (HPAI) H5 avian influenza in wild birds in Whatcom County, Washington. Two separate virus strains were identified: HPAI H5N2 in northern pintail ducks and HPAI H5N8 in captive Gyrfalcons that were fed hunter-killed wild birds. Neither virus has been found in commercial poultry anywhere in the United States and no human cases with these viruses have been detected in the United States, Canada or internationally. There is no immediate public health concern with either of these avian influenza viruses.
Both H5N2 and H5N8 viruses have been found in at least 18 other countries, but they “have not caused any human infection to date.”
The finding in Whatcom County was reported and identified quickly due to increased surveillance for avian influenza in light of HPAI H5N2 avian influenza outbreaks in poultry affecting commercial poultry farms in British Columbia, Canada. The northern pintail duck samples were collected by officials from the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife following a waterfowl die-off at Wiser Lake, Washington, and were sent to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) National Wildlife Health Center for diagnostic evaluation and initial avian influenza testing. The U.S. Department of the Interior’s USGS, which also conducts ongoing avian influenza testing of wild bird mortality events, identified the samples as presumptive positive for H5 avian influenza and sent them to USDA for confirmation. The gyrfalcon samples were collected after the falconer reported signs of illness in his birds.
“Wild birds can be carriers of HPAI viruses without the birds appearing sick. People should avoid contact with sick/dead poultry or wildlife. If contact occurs, wash your hands with soap and water and change clothing before having any contact with healthy domestic poultry and birds,” said USDA in a statement.
HPAI would have significant economic impacts if detected in U.S. domestic poultry. Commercial poultry producers follow strict biosecurity practices and raise their birds in very controlled environments. Federal officials emphasize that all bird owners, whether commercial producers or backyard enthusiasts, should continue practicing good biosecurity. This includes preventing contact between your birds and wild birds, and reporting sick birds or unusual bird deaths to State/Federal officials, either through your state veterinarian or through USDA’s toll-free number at 1-866-536-7593. Additional information on biosecurity for backyard flocks can be found at healthybirds.aphis.usda.gov.
CDC says the risk to people from HPAI H5 infections in wild birds is low because (like H5N1) these viruses do not currently infect humans easily, and even if a person is infected, the viruses do not spread easily to other people.
Avian influenza (AI) is caused by influenza type A viruses which are endemic in some wild birds (such as wild ducks and swans) which can infect poultry (such as chickens, turkeys, pheasants, quail, domestic ducks, geese and guinea fowl). AI viruses are classified by a combination of two groups of proteins: hemagglutinin or “H” proteins, of which there are 17 (H1–H17), and neuraminidase or “N” proteins, of which there are 10 (N1–N10). Many different combinations of “H” and “N” proteins are possible. Each combination is considered a different subtype, and can be further broken down into different strains. AI viruses are further classified by their pathogenicity—the ability of a particular virus to produce disease in domestic chickens.
Posted in News Alert | Tagged: Avian influenza, biosecurity, bird flu, H5N2, H5N8, HPAI, USDA, Washignton state | Leave a Comment »
‘Highly Contagious’ Strain of Bird Flu Discovered in Holland
Posted by feww on November 17, 2014
EMERGING & RE-EMERGING INFECTIOUS DISEASES
HIGHLY CONTAGIOUS STRAIN OF AVIAN FLU
ZOONOTIC DISEASES
EUROPEAN HEALTH EMERGENCY
SCENARIOS 993, 797, 444, 080, 011, 01
.
Zoonotic H5N8 bird flu strain highly contagious: Dutch gov
The Dutch government has warned the highly contagions strain, H5N8, could be transmitted from poultry to humans, and have imposed a three-day nationwide ban on the transportation of poultry and eggs.
Authorities are destroying more than 150,000 birds at the infected farm, in the village of Hekendorp, and have set up a 10-km (six-mile) exclusion zone, said local reports.
Some 700 Dutch poultry farms export more than 6 billion eggs each year.
H5N8 cases have also been reported in China, Germany, Japan and the UK, so far this year.
The deadly H5N1 strain has a mortality rate of about 60% in humans, killing about 400 people over the past ten years.
FIRE-EARTH Models estimate that more than 500 million birds have been destroyed over the past 10 years to prevent the spread of various avian flu strains.
Posted in News Alert | Tagged: avian flu, egg, H5N1, H5N8, INFECTIOUS DISEASE, ZOONOTIC DISEASE | Leave a Comment »
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