Avian Influenza 101 Prepared by the Indiana State Board of Animal Health May 2006

Goals: Understand differences in flu types Recognize relative risk Discuss food safety aspects Know how to handle dead birds

3 Categories of Flu Pandemic flu is NOT bird flu!

3 Categories of Flu Pandemic Flu  Does not currently exist Warnings are based on predictions  An existing virus must mutate first  Human-to-human transmission  Predicted based on historical cycles About 3 every century

3 Categories of Flu Avian Influenza H5N1  One strain of many  Most active in Asia  Has not been found in North America

3 Categories of Flu All other avian influenzas  Many other strains of the virus  May or may not have human health affects Most do not  Considered a general economic, as well as health, threat to poultry industry Routine flock testing by industry, USDA and Indiana State Board of Animal Health

What Is Avian Flu? Simple Answer: A Virus

Avian Influenza Numerous subtypes HxNx: 16 Hs and 9 Ns  Theoretically 144 combinations  Antigens on the virus surface Few have human health impact  H5N1, H7N2, H7N3, H7N7, H9N2  Most no more than conjunctivitis

Avian Influenza Why the concern about H5N1?  Unique transmission directly to people Only with very close contact with birds No sustained human-to-human transmission  Some similarities to 1918 strain  High death rate among reported cases

Low-Path AI: Key Facts Does occur periodically in the U.S.  Naturally in wild bird populations No known human health affects Is not cause for fear

High Path AI: Key Facts Not currently found in N. America  Texas, British Columbia: 2004  Pennsylvania: H5N1 currently not readily transmissible to humans  No sustained human-human spread High death rate in birds

HPAI: Clinical Signs Sudden death without signs Lack of energy, appetite Reduced egg production Swollen head, eyelids, comb, wattles Discolored purple wattles, comb, legs Nasal discharge, coughing, sneezing Report cases to:

What is Our Risk of H5N1? Indiana is not a high-risk state

H5N1 Risk U.S. ban on trade with countries with HPAI infection  No live birds, eggs or poultry products Most U.S. poultry raised indoors  High biosecurity in commercial flocks Close bird contact is uncommon  In homes

H5N1 Risk Migratory birds  Waterfowl on international fly-ways Nationwide testing of wild birds Pacific rim/Alaska  Indiana is not on a major fly-way  Resident Canada geese are low risk  USDA, DNR targeted surveillance

Can I Get AI From Eating Eggs or Poultry? AI is not a food safety threat

Food Safety If properly handled, AI is no threat  Wash your hands when handling food  Clean all surfaces in contact with raw meat  Keep foods cold before and after cooking  Do not cross-contaminate  Cook poultry to 170 degrees F Avian influenza virus is killed at 140 F

Food Safety Poultry products are inspected  Twice: before and after slaughter Sick, dead birds are not processed All flocks are tested for AI  Infected flocks are destroyed without entering the food chain

How Do I Know My Food Supply Is Safe? Testing and Inspection

Food Supply Safety U.S. agriculture is different  Commercial flocks raised indoors  Biosecurity prevents wild bird exposure  Poultry raised away from other species  Animals not kept in homes/close human contact  Flocks regularly tested for disease 75,000+ birds in IN this year

HOGS HOG MANURE

Sleeping with peacock

Food Supply Safety U.S. food consumption is different  Healthy birds slaughtered under inspection  Cultural food preferences are lower risk Thorough cooking  Live bird markets uncommon in U.S. Birds are slaughtered on-the-spot Indiana has banned traditional markets

What If I Find A Dead Bird? Don’t worry!

Birds Die for Lots of Reasons Natural deaths  Predators, severe weather, short life span Accidents  Impacts with power lines, aircraft, buildings Toxicants  Legal & illegal pest control methods  Spoiled grain and dirty bird feeders  Environmental contamination

Birds Die for Lots of Reasons Diseases  Most do not have human health affects! West Nile virus  Blue jays, robins, crows, cardinals, raptors Call your LOCAL health department Avian influenza  Migratory geese, ducks, swans, shorebirds Call Wildlife Conflicts Hotline

Tips for Dead Wild Birds Do not handle it  Treat it like dog poop!  Wear disposable gloves or place a plastic bag over your hand to pick it up  Place it in a plastic bag  Wash your hands afterward Dispose of it in your garbage