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1. USDA Confirms Highly Pathogenic H5N2 Avian Influenza in Wild Birds in Kentucky and
USDA Confirms More Highly Pathogenic H5N2 Avian Influenza in Three Flocks in Minnesota, Iowa and Wisconsin
USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Bulletin
April 28, 2015
WASHINGTON -- The United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has confirmed the presence of highly pathogenic H5N2 avian influenza (HPAI) in two wild birds, a goose and a duck, in McCracken County, Kentucky. These birds were found within the Mississippi flyway where this strain of avian influenza has previously been identified. CDC considers the risk to people from these HPAI H5 infections in wild birds, backyard flocks and commercial poultry, to be low. No human infections with the virus have been detected at this time.
The samples, taken from dead birds, were tested by the Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study at the University of Georgia and confirmed by USDA's National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL) in Ames, Iowa. NVSL is the only internationally recognized AI reference laboratory in the United States. The United States has the strongest AI surveillance program in the world, and USDA is working with its partners to actively look for the disease in commercial poultry operations, live bird markets and in migratory wild bird populations.
USDA will include the confirmation information in routine updates to the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE). OIE trade guidelines call on countries to base trade restrictions on sound science and specifically state that countries should not impose trade restrictions based on findings of HPAI in wild birds.
These virus strains can travel in wild birds without them 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.
Full text:
http://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/USDAAPHIS/bulletins/10192a7
See Also:
USDA Confirms More Highly Pathogenic H5N2 Avian Influenza in Three Flocks in Minnesota, Iowa and Wisconsin
USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Bulletin
April 28, 2015
WASHINGTON - The United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has confirmed the presence of highly pathogenic H5N2 avian influenza (HPAI) in additional three flocks in Minnesota, Iowa and Wisconsin. No human infections with the virus have been detected at this time. CDC considers the risk to people from these HPAI H5 infections in wild birds, backyard flocks and commercial poultry, to be low.
USDA's National Veterinary Services Laboratories confirmed HPAI H5N2 in the following counties and states:
Stearns County, Minnesota (April 27, 2015)
26,900 turkeys
10th detection in this county
Sioux County, Iowa (April 27, 2015)
1.7 million chickens
Barron County, Wisconsin (April 27, 2015)
83,300 turkeys
2nd detection in this county
Full text:
http://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/USDAAPHIS/bulletins/10199ab
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2. Poultry/bird movements limited to control spread of avian influenza [ND]
North Dakota Board of Animal Health News Release
April 28, 2015
BISMARCK, N.D. - To protect North Dakota's poultry industry from potential exposure to H5 avian influenza virus, the State Board of Animal Health (BOAH) has halted bird movement to shows, exhibitions and public sales within the state in which birds from different locations are intermingled at an event. This does not apply to approved private sales that meet North Dakota importation requirements.
"The state board is taking this precaution to reduce the risk of avian influenza exposure to North Dakota birds," State Veterinarian Dr. Susan Keller said. "Mixing birds could unnecessarily increase the risk of exposure."
This board action prohibits the specified poultry/bird movements until further notice. BOAH is continuing to monitor and assess the disease threat, which will be reviewed at their June 10 quarterly meeting.
North Dakota has had two confirmed cases of avian influenza in commercial poultry operations in Dickey and LaMoure counties affecting over 100,000 birds. Nationally, the outbreak has affected nearly 10 million birds in 13 states.
Bird owners should immediately report death loss to their local and state veterinarian, restrict access to their property, prevent contact between their birds and wild birds and practice enhanced biosecurity.
State Veterinarian Dr. Susan Keller is reminding anyone bringing birds into North Dakota to contact the North Dakota Department of Agriculture's Animal Health Division at 701-328-2655 to ensure they are meeting all importation requirements.
Full text:
http://www.nd.gov/ndda/news/poultrybird-movements-limited-control-spread-avian-influenza
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3. Human Protection Considered as H5N2 Avian Flu Spreads
By Linda Larsen
Food Poisoning Bulletin
April 27, 2015
The highly contagious avian flu H5N2 is spreading rapidly in some parts of the midwestern United States. As a precaution, farm workers are being offered antiviral medication as a preventative measure. The flu has not affected people yet, but it can mutate and make the jump from birds to humans.
The spread of this virus from person to person is very rare, and has not been sustained over time. But if the virus mutates, person to person transmission could occur. The symptoms of this illness in people include fever, cough, sore throat, muscle aches, and conjunctivitis of the eye. Lower respiratory illness, including pneumonia, have occurred. Sometimes, nausea, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and vomiting can occur. Lab testing is required to establish a diagnosis.
The virus has sickened turkeys and chickens in Minnesota, Wisconsin, South Dakota, and Iowa. About 300 people in those states are being told they should take the antiviral meds as a precaution.
Full text:
http://foodpoisoningbulletin.com/2015/human-protection-considered-as-h5n2-avian-flu-spreads/
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4. Tyson Foods to end use of human antibiotics in U.S. chickens by 2017
Reuters
New York Daily News
April 28, 20
Tyson Foods, the largest U.S. poultry producer, plans to eliminate use of human antibiotics in its chicken flocks by September 2017, one of the most aggressive timetables yet set by an American poultry company.
The Arkansas-based chicken and meat company also said Tuesday it is working on ways to curtail such on-farm drug practices at its other protein businesses, which include pork and beef.
The move marks the latest push by the livestock and food industries to reduce the use of antibiotics crucial to human health in meat production.
Public health experts and federal regulators are concerned that routine feeding of antibiotics to animals could spur creation of antibiotic-resistant superbugs in humans, creating a health hazard.
Tyson's move will help the company meet a deadline recently outlined by McDonald's for its U.S. restaurants to gradually stop buying chicken raised with human antibiotics over the next two years.
Full text: http://tinyurl.com/p57mfw4
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5. WLIC: Avian Flu Proves That Premises ID is Important
Wisconsin Ag Connection
April 27, 2015
The recent outbreaks of avian influenza within Wisconsin's poultry industry serve as a reminder that all farms should have their operations registered as part of the mandatory premises identification rule. Since the first case of H5N2 was discovered in the state earlier this month, the Wisconsin Livestock Identification Consortium has been utilizing its registration database for emergency response purposes.
"Many may not realize how important this system is to controlling an animal disease threat in Wisconsin such as this one," said WLIC Director Alan Clark. "This system was built to house the information for premises registration on a private and secure database as one way to maintain a strong agriculture industry in Wisconsin."
When the first facility in Jefferson County was identified two weeks ago, the agency provided the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture with a list of poultry owners located within the quarantine and surveillance zones. Using this information, DATCP was able to contact all the poultry owners and arrange to test their birds for the virus. The consortium is also answering calls from producers and keeping a close eye on the HPAI disease response.
Full text:
http://www.wisconsinagconnection.com/story-state.php?Id=490&yr=2015
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6. Live webinar on avian influenza, poultry diseases Thursday morning
The Nevada Appeal
April 28, 2015
To help answer questions about the current outbreak of avian influenza across North America, Backyard Poultry magazine will be hosting a live webinar 7 a.m., April 30.
Backyard Poultry Editor Ryan Slabaugh will interview experts about how avian influenza affects backyard flock owners, what is avian influenza, and lead a discussion about how poultry owners can best prevent their flocks from getting diseases. You can find the show available live at http://www.nevadaappeal.com.
The show will be available for replay after the live event at http://www.backyardpoultrymag.com/healthy-chickens-webinar
Full text: http://tinyurl.com/mtyj89m
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7. No chronic wasting disease found in NY 2014-15 Big Game season
However, CWD continues to pose a potential threat to New York's wild white-tailed deer herd.
By Julie Sherwood
Brighton-Pittsford Post
April 27, 2015
State Department of Environmental Conservation announced Monday that none of the more than 2,400 white-tailed deer tested in the 2014-15 Big Game season in New York stat tested positive for Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD).
However, CWD continues to pose a potential threat to New York's wild white-tailed deer herd, according to the DEC that outlined practices hunters should follow or avoid.
Full text:
http://www.brightonpittsfordpost.com/article/20150427/NEWS/150429651
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8. Minnesota moose research halted by Gov. Dayton
By: Josephine Marcotty
Minneapolis Star Tribune
April 28, 2015
Gov. Mark Dayton Tuesday put an end to Minnesota's ambitious moose research project out of concern that it is harming the animals it's designed to help. He said human handling of adults and calves when scientists collared them with GPS tracking devices resulted in too many deaths of the animals.
"I respect that researchers are trying to understand why our moose population is declining," he said. "However, their methods of collaring are causing too many of the moose deaths they seek to prevent. "I will not authorize those collaring practices to continue in Minnesota."
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) launched its moose research project three years ago in an attempt to find out why moose are disappearing from Minnesota at such a rapid rate.
But researchers found that after they collared young moose, the calves were abandoned by their mothers at surprisingly high rates, making the research project the second leading cause of death after predators for the collared calves. About a fourth of the 75 newborn calves collared so far have been left behind by their mothers.
Full text:
http://www.startribune.com/politics/statelocal/301557021.html
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