Protecting American Agriculture 1 The Wild Bird Population: An Early Warning System for Avian Influenza Dr. Ron DeHaven Administrator USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service January 27, 2006

Protecting American Agriculture 2 International Assistance USDA is providing assistance to international organizations by providing: Technical expertise and assessments for countries affected by AI Financial assistance

Protecting American Agriculture 3 USDA’s Longstanding Domestic Interventions Targeted surveillance/cooperative efforts with States and Industry Trade restrictions and smuggling prevention Migratory bird surveillance and testing Stockpile of AI vaccine for poultry Outreach and education Quarantine and testing of legally imported birds

Protecting American Agriculture 4 Supplemental AI Funding USDA received approximately $91 million For domestic efforts, $73 million will help enhance and increase:  Wild bird surveillance and diagnostics  Animal vaccine stockpile  Biosecurity measures  Smuggling interdiction and trade compliance  Research and development  Planning, equipment, and training

Protecting American Agriculture 5 Three HPAI Findings in the United States 1924 – “Fowl Plague” affected live bird markets in the Northeastern U.S 1983 – destruction of 17 million birds in PA 2004 – quickly contained and eradicated in TX

Protecting American Agriculture 6 Avian Influenza Transmission AI is primarily spread by:  Direct contact between infected birds and healthy birds  Indirect contact with contaminated equipment and materials Wild waterfowl are a natural reservoir for AI viruses Airborne transmission from farm to farm is highly unlikely

Protecting American Agriculture 7 Highly Pathogenic AI in Wild Birds Wild birds may play a role in moving HPAI Asian H5N1 may be adapting to wild birds Most outbreaks are likely due to the movement of poultry and poultry products

Protecting American Agriculture 8 Wildlife Monitoring USDA and DOI sampling of migratory birds Ongoing studies by USDA and university partners in Alaska  Over 12,000 samples with no evidence of HPAI USDA’s National Wildlife Disease Surveillance and Emergency Response System

Protecting American Agriculture 9 Wild Bird Highly Pathogenic AI Interagency Working Group Membership USDA DOI HHS State of Alaska International Assoc. of Fish and Wildlife Agencies National Assoc. of Public Health Veterinarians

Protecting American Agriculture 10 Draft U.S. Interagency Strategic Plan An Early Detection System for Asian H5N1 Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in Wild Migratory Birds Developed by wildlife biologists, veterinarians, and epidemiologists Early detection is the key Unified national system for conducting H5N1 monitoring and surveillance of migratory birds

Protecting American Agriculture 11 Preparedness in the Event of an Outbreak USDA’ comprehensive emergency response structure:  Partnerships with local, State, and Federal organizations  Integration with the National Response Plan  Continual collaboration with Federal entities  Diagnostic capabilities

Protecting American Agriculture 12 Response in the Event of an HPAI Outbreak Response actions for domestic flocks:  Quarantine and humane euthanasia  Cleaning and disinfection of premises  Possible use of vaccine in poultry  Indemnity payments  Communication to media and the public

Protecting American Agriculture 13 USDA AI Web Site Information about “Biosecurity for the Birds” program Links to other Federal entities working on AI Fact Sheets and other information resources Q&A on AI News Releases Technical Briefings