Whatcom County Town Hall Meeting

Avian Influenza Update for Washington

December 18, 2014

Agenda
About Avian Influenza (AI)
Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenzas (HPAI) in Canada
and Washington
Biosecurity - How to Protect Your Flock
Washington Surveillance Program - Early Detection is Key
What to do if you suspect avian influenza in your birds
Human Health

Question and Answer

Acknowledgments and Gratitude

Poultry producers and poultry enthusiasts of Whatcom County

Whatcom County Department of Health

Whatcom County Emergency Management
Washington State Fish and Wildlife
Washington State Department of Health

Avian Influenza: Background

There are many different strains of the AI virus categorized:

Low pathogenic (LPAI)
Highly pathogenic (HPAI)

Low and high is based on the severity of the illness caused in chickens
Highly pathogenic causes the greatest number of deaths in
domesticated poultry

Avian Influenza: Background

Influenza Viruses - H?N?

H = Hemagglutinin
16 versions

N = Neuraminidase
9 versions

Avian Influenza: Background

Hs and Ns

Tell us the strain of the virus

Can tell us some about the

human health risk

High and Low Pathogenic

Tell us the severity of disease in

domesticated poultry

Avian Influenza Background

How is it transmitted in birds?

Virus is found in feces, saliva, and respiratory secretions (mucus)
Direct contact with infected birds
Contaminated objects/equipment, and through the air (short distances)

Avian Influenza: Background

Signs of Infection

Can vary from inapparent to rapidly fatal

Decreased food consumption, huddling, depression, closed eyes
Respiratory signs (coughing and sneezing)
Decreased egg production, watery greenish diarrhea, excessive thirst
Swollen wattles and combs
Bruising under the skin and on the organs
High death rate and sudden death

Role of Wild Waterfowl

Where could
Washington wild
birds get bird flu?
Main Possibilities:
Alaska / NE Asian
breeding areas
British Columbia
domestic poultry

Role of Wild Waterfowl

Can harbor any subtypes of bird flu strains

Often asymptomatic
Intestinal infection if common with
virus shed in feces
Excrete large amounts of virus into water

Wild Birds and Bird Flu

Wild birds can carry a number of avian influenza viruses, but most
strains do not seriously affect them
There are no increased concerns at this time for risks to hunters or
other people, wild birds, dogs, or cats from either of these avian
influenza viruses, BUT
Common-sense precautions are always recommended when handling
wildlife to reduce the risk of contracting any wildlife disease

Role of Wild Waterfowl

Wild bird surveillance continues and

will be enhanced
Please pick up a poster
Visit the Washington Department of Fish
and Wildlife website for more information
about wild birds and Avian Influenza
http://wdfw.wa.gov/conservation/health/
avian_flu/index.htm

Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI)

Situation in British Columbia

H5N2 was confirmed on 2 domestic poultry farms in the Fraser Valley
December 4, 2014

Currently 10 premises have been confirmed infected

Canadian authorities are working to control the outbreak and
communicating with USDA

Situation in Washington State

NOT IN OUR DOMESTIC POULTRY
H5N8 was confirmed in captive Gyrfalcons fed wild duck
H5N2 was confirmed in a Northern Pintail Duck
Further testing is ongoing

Biosecurity: Step 1 Keep Your Distance

Isolate your birds from visitors and other birds

Keep game birds and migratory waterfowl away from your flock
Shelter outside poultry areas from wild waterfowl flying over
Restrict access to your poultry housing areas

Establish a clean and a dirty area, the clean area is the area
around your birds
If visitors have birds, do not let them near your birds

Biosecurity: Step 2 Keep it Clean

Keep it clean
Wear clean clothes, scrub your shoes with disinfectant

Wash your hands thoroughly before and after entering

your bird area and handling your birds
Keep cages, feeders, and water pans clean
Clean and disinfect equipment that comes in
contact with your birds and their droppings
Remove manure before disinfecting
Do not handle sick/dead birds
immediately report them to WSDA

Biosecurity: Step 3 Dont Haul it Home

Dont haul it home

If you have been near other birds
or bird owners (e.g., feed stores) clean
and disinfect car/truck tires, poultry
cages, and equipment
before going home
Keep new birds or birds that have been
to a fair or show separate
from the rest of your flock for at
least 3 weeks

Image credit: Canadian Cattlemen

Biosecurity: Step 4 Dont Borrow Disease

Dont borrow disease from your neighbor

Do not share lawn and garden equipment,
tools, or poultry supplies with your
neighbors or other bird owners
If you do bring them home, clean
and disinfect them before they
reach your property

Biosecurity: Step 5 Know the Warning Signs

Know the warning signs of Infectious Bird Diseases

Early detection is important to prevent the spread of disease

Sudden increase in bird deaths in your flock

Sneezing, gasping for air, coughing, and nasal discharge
Lack of energy and poor appetite
Watery and green diarrhea
Drop in egg production or soft- or thinshelled misshapen eggs

Human Health Concerns

There have been no known human cases of influenza caused by H5N2 or

H5N8 strains to date.

HOWEVER
Those with contact with poultry should have annual influenza vaccine

If a producer has influenza-like illness, they should limit contact with their
chickens to reduce the risk of co-infection with seasonal flu and avian
influenza.

What is WSDA Doing?

WSDA, USDA and WSU Laboratories are working together to increase

surveillance (testing) of poultry
This will help us detect any issues sooner
YOU can help by volunteering to have your birds sampled

What is WSDA Doing?

Oral Swab Demonstration:

What is WSDA Doing?

Oral and Cloacal Swabbing Demonstrations:

https://www.veritasdvm.com/veritas/courses/
avian-diagnostic-sample-collection/index.htm
Video is 10 min long, for oral swabs, review from minute 3 to minute 4:24;
for Choanal swabs review from minute 6:25 to minute 7

Cloacal Swabbing Demonstrations:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5aXWcjAg3OI

What if?

What Will Happen if My Flock is Found Positive for

Highly-Pathogenic Avian Influenza?
Laboratory confirmation of HPAI.
Humane depopulation with compensation.
Appropriate disposal, which may include onsite (In Place) composting.
Cleaning and disinfection of premises.
Repopulation allowed after an appropriate down time.
These measures may seem drastic and would be unfortunate for a producer
to face, but are necessary to control the spread of this highly-contagious
disease to other flocks.

What should you do?

Protect your birds
(biosecurity)

Look for signs

Do not handle Sick

and Dead Birds

REPORT SICK AND DEAD DOMESTIC POULTRY:

WSDA Avian Health Program: 1-800-606-3056
Such reports will be responded to by WSDA veterinarians