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Avian Influenza

Avian (or bird) flu is caused by influenza viruses that occur naturally among wild birds. The H5N1 variant is deadly to domestic fowl and can be transmitted from birds to humans. There is no human immunity and no vaccine is available. Pandemic flu is virulent human flu that causes a global outbreak, or pandemic, of serious illness. Because there is little natural immunity, the disease can spread easily from person to person. Currently, there is no pandemic flu.

In the flu that is currently under scrutiny the viral family common to birds (H5) has developed into a strain (N1) that is especially hard on the poultry that it infects.  Mortality rates well over 50 percent are common in flocks affected by this influenza. 

Should an outbreak of avian flu occur, it could have a major effect on the agricultural economy of the United States.  A real concern of many experts is that this flu will mutate into a form that is easily transmitted from birds to human means, then from human to human.

NRCS personnel always need to be aware of the possibility of transfer of disease as they go about their day to day work on client’s many varied farming operations.  The following list contains practices which an employee should use in their day-to-day work on a farm.

 

  • Avoid livestock areas, pens, barns, etc., unless it is necessary to complete the goal of the visit.
  • Park your vehicle on paved or concrete areas,, away from production sites, to avoid contact with dirt, mud or manure.
  • Wash hands with soap and water or antibacterial gel before entering or leaving a livestock operation.
  • Change overalls and boots between visits to farming operations.
  • Clean and disinfect equipment and vehicles between farm visits.

All employees should review and follow NRCS biosecurity policy found in GM 130 Part 403, Subpart H.

 The USDA has a site with links to numerous resources. 

USDA AVIAN INFLUENZA HOME

http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usdahome?navtype=SU&navid=AVIAN_INFLUENZA

The following is a link to a general brochure on Avian Influenza

http://www.usda.gov/documents/AvianFluBrochure.pdf

AVIAN INFLUENZA IN WILD BIRDS

http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/!ut/p/_s.7_0_A/7_0_1RD?printable=true&con

tentidonly=true&contentid=2006/03/0092.xml

 There is a also pandemicflu.gov website that you can get to from the

USDA website.  This one shows the location of confirmed cases and

planning resources to prepare for pandemic outbreaks.   

http://www.pandemicflu.gov/

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