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1. Bird flu found in snowy owl in Oconto County [WI]

By Lee Bergquist

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel         

May 8, 2015

A snowy owl in Oconto County is the first wild bird in Wisconsin to test positive for an avian flu strain that is sweeping through poultry farms in the Midwest, including operations in Wisconsin.

The Department of Natural Resources reported late Thursday a single snowy owl - the largest owl by weight in North America - had died from the H5N2 avian influenza virus.

The owl is one of 11 dead wild birds that have been tested for the virus in Wisconsin, agency officials said. Test results on all of the birds have not yet been completed, but the snowy owl is the only bird known to have died from the virus.

Since April 13, the virus has been found on 10 Wisconsin farms in Barron, Chippewa, Jefferson and Juneau counties, bringing the total number of chickens and turkeys affected by the disease to nearly 1.8 million.

The latest finding is significant because it marks the first time the disease has been detected outside of a Wisconsin farm.

Full text: http://tinyurl.com/muzt3zm  

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2. Signs of airborne H5N2 found; Iowa reports more outbreaks

Robert Roos, News Editor

CIDRAP News

May 8, 2015

Evidence of the H5N2 avian influenza virus has been found in air samples collected in and near infected Minnesota poultry barns, a researcher said today, supporting the suspicion that the virus may go airborne for short distances, while Iowa reported seven new H5 outbreaks involving 4 million chickens and an unknown number of turkeys.

In addition, Wisconsin authorities today reported finding H5N2 in an owl along Green Bay, while hard-hit Minnesota had its second day this week without any new poultry outbreaks.

Air sampling findings

Montse Torremorell, DVM, PhD, of the University of Minnesota said she and three colleagues did a pilot air sampling study at three Minnesota farms with infected poultry.

"Our results indicated that influenza genetic material can be detected in air samples collected inside and immediately outside of infected poultry facilities. We still don't know whether virus was viable or not, and those analyses are in progress," said Torremorell, who holds the Allen D. Leman Chair in swine health and productivity.

"So far we have shown that HPAI [highly pathogenic avian influenza] can be aerosolized from infected facilities," she added. "However, the implications of these findings in terms of understanding the transmission of HPAI between flocks needs further investigation." The study focused on a total of four poultry barns on the three farms.

Torremorell said the study was commissioned by the US Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS). The agency's National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL) in Ames, Iowa, are testing the samples to see if they contain any viable virus particles.

Other participants in the study are Peter Davies, BVSc, PhD, Peter Raynor, PhD, and Carmen Alonso, DVM, all with the University of Minnesota in St. Paul, Torremorell said.

The possibility of airborne transmission of H5N2 has been increasingly discussed as the situation has evolved over the past 2 months. In the early going, affected farms were widely scattered, and in most cases only one barn on each farm was infected. The general assumption was that particles of infected feces from wild waterfowl were being carried into barns by workers or equipment.

But more recently, multiple neighboring farms and multiple barns per farm have been hit, suggesting that the virus may be spreading from farm to farm and barn to barn, possibly via airborne dust or feathers. The results noted by Torremorell today mark the first reported effort to test the hypothesis in the current H5N2 crisis.

Full text:

http://www.cidrap.umn.edu/news-perspective/2015/05/signs-airborne-h5n2-found-iowa-reports-more-outbreaks

See Also:

USDA Confirms More Highly Pathogenic H5N2 Avian Influenza in Seven Flocks in Iowa

USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Bulletin

May 8, 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 seven flocks in Iowa. 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:

   Sioux County, Iowa (May 7, 2015)

       Chickens (number pending)

       5th detection in this county

   Sioux County, Iowa (May 7, 2015)

       1 million chickens

       6th detection in this county

   Buena Vista County, Iowa (May 7, 2015)

       45,000 turkeys

       9th detection in this county*

   Sioux County, Iowa (May 7, 2015)

       80,998 chickens

       7th detection in this county

   Buena Vista County, Iowa (May 7, 2015)

       100,000 turkeys

       11th detection in this county*

   Osceola County, Iowa (May 7, 2015)

       100,000 chickens

       3rd detection in this county

   Wright County, Iowa (May 7, 2015)

       2.8 million

       1st detection in this county

Full text:

http://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/USDAAPHIS/bulletins/1037032  

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3. Two additional Oregon horses develop neurological signs of Equine Herpes Virus

Oregon Dept. of Agriculture News Release

May 7, 2015

Two additional Oregon horses are now showing neurological signs of Equine Herpes Virus (EHV-1) bringing the total number of horses developing neurological signs to four, according to the Oregon Department of Agriculture. In addition, another five horses exposed to EHV-1 have developed fevers, but are not showing neurological signs at this time. All horses involved are under active observation by owners and their veterinarians. Eight farms are currently under quarantine, six in Marion County and two in Polk County.

The infected horses or other horses exposed at the quarantined facilities attended several recent events, including an Oregon High School Equestrian Team (OHSET) meet at the Linn County Fairgrounds on April 16-19, and rodeo events at Branton Arena, in Jefferson, OR April 19-20 as well as at the High Prarie Area in Eugene, OR from April 25-26. ODA continues to investigate the potential of any additional exposures at this time. In addition, ODA is working to notify owners of horses that have been potentially exposed and has notified Oregon equine veterinarians.

State Veterinarian Dr. Brad LeaMaster has issued the following recommendation:

"All horses that attended the OHSET Willamette district meet on April 16-18 should refrain from any further shows or gatherings for the next 28 days and impose a self quarantine. Owners of stable mates of these OHSET horses should consult with their veterinarian to assess risk of exposure. High risk horses should also refrain from shows or gatherings. The responsible thing for OHSET Willamette District attendees to do at this time is to stay home and monitor their horse. Call your veterinarian if you suspect any signs of illness."

Full text:

http://odanews.wpengine.com/two-additional-oregon-horses-develop-neurological-signs-of-equine-herpes-virus/  

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4. Warnings issued as first case of Eastern Equine Encephalitis confirmed in Bradford County [FL]

Florida Times-Union

May 7, 2015

A 4-year-old horse in Bradford County has been confirmed as the state's third case of Eastern Equine Encephalitis and the first in that county, according to the Bradford Union Department of Health.

The Missouri Fox Trotter breed, which had not been vaccinated against the disease, came down with symptoms on April 23, according to county health officials. The state Division of Agriculture confirmed it had the disease on Monday and it was euthanized. Now Bradford County Emergency Management officials recommend that the public begin protecting themselves from exposure to mosquito bites which can cause the encephalitis disease and strongly recommends that horse owners vaccinate their animals as well.

As for humans, avoid outdoor activity when mosquitoes are feeding and flying and wear clothing that covers skin when outdoors. Use repellents containing Deet are highly recommended and rid areas of standing water where mosquitoes lay eggs.

Source: http://tinyurl.com/lnq3yu6  

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5. CHRB Denies Horses from Turf Paradise Due to VS Concerns

By Edited Press Release

TheHorse.com

May 8, 2015

The California Horse Racing Board (CHRB) announced Thursday that all horses stabled at or en route from Turf Paradise racetrack, in Phoenix, Arizona, will be denied access to California racetracks and other facilities within the board's jurisdiction. The move comes as a result of the California Department of Food and Agriculture's (CDFA) determination that a horse at Turf Paradise was confirmed to have vesicular stomatitis (VS).

Horses from confirmed VS premises are not allowed by the CDFA into California.

In its advisory, the CHRB said that "horses previously stabled at Turf Paradise that already have entered CHRB-controlled facilities have been placed under special surveillance and health monitoring."

In recent weeks VS has been confirmed in equids in New Mexico, Arizona, and Utah.

Full text:

http://www.thehorse.com/articles/35767/chrb-denies-horses-from-turf-paradise-due-to-vs-concerns  

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6. USDA Proposes Changes to Improve Humane Handling of Veal Calves

FSIS News Release

May 8, 2015

WASHINGTON - The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) today announced proposed changes to improve both humane handling and food safety inspections at facilities that produce veal meat.

The proposal would require that veal calves that are brought to slaughter but cannot rise and walk be promptly and humanely euthanized, and prohibited from entering the food supply. Currently, FSIS allows veal calves that are unable to rise from a recumbent position to be set aside and warmed or rested, and presented for slaughter if they regain the ability to walk. FSIS has found that this practice may contribute to the inhumane treatment of the veal calves. This proposed rule would improve compliance with the Humane Methods of Slaughter Act by encouraging improved treatment of veal calves, as well as improve inspection efficiency by allowing FSIS inspection program personnel to devote more time to activities related to food safety.

Since 2004, FSIS has prohibited the slaughter of non-ambulatory cattle for human food because the inability to rise may be a symptom of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE). While BSE is not a serious risk in cattle younger than 30 months of age, the regulations apply to all cattle, including veal calves. Currently, unlike adult cattle, veal calves that regain the ability to walk after being warmed or rested may enter the food supply. In 2013, FSIS granted a petition by the Humane Society of the United States asking the agency to remove this provision. The proposed regulation would remove this provision, requiring that non-ambulatory calves be promptly and humanely euthanized, in keeping with requirements for adult cattle.

The proposed rule can be accessed at: http://1.usa.gov/1F9ZdDU. FSIS will accept comments for 60 days from the publication date. No actual changes will occur until after FSIS considers received comments regarding proposed changes and then issues a final rule. Comments may be submitted via the Federal eRulemaking Portal at http://www.regulations.gov or by mail addressed to: Docket Clerk, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food Safety and Inspection Service, Patriots Plaza 3, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Mailstop 3782, Room 8-163A, Washington, DC 20250-3700.

Source: http://tinyurl.com/oevyeyp  

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7. Dallas County declares state of emergency to prevent bird flu [IA]

Ben Rodgers

The Des Moines Register

May 8, 2015

The Dallas County Board of Supervisors declared a state of emergency on Friday in reaction to the state's outbreak of bird flu.

According to a news release, there are currently no reports of bird flu within Dallas County and there is no risk to public health.

The resolution passed by the board prohibits the transportation of poultry and poultry waste within a mile of poultry raising facilities. The state of emergency will allow county road officials to place barricades near facilities within the county.

The county stresses that farmers protect their birds from wild flock, report any sick birds or unusual deaths to veterinarians and refrain from sharing equipment between facilities.

As many as 3.5 million birds killed because of avian influenza outbreaks in northwest Iowa might be driven across the state and disposed of in a private landfill in Mills County.

An Iowa Department of Transportation spokeswoman said Thursday the agency hasn't approved the permits that would be needed to move the birds, including possible routes or oversized loads. But the agency is setting up the capability to expedite the process, said Andrea Henry, a DOT spokeswoman.

So far, no birds have been moved from their quarantined sites, she said.

Full text:

http://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/2015/05/08/bird-flu-dallas-county-state-emergency/26982921/  

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8. USPoultry Hosts Web-based Farm Depopulation Training

US Poultry & Egg Assoc. News Release

Contact Gwen Venable, gvenable@uspoultry.org

May 8, 2015

As a follow-up to the "Overview on Farm Depopulation" webinar, USPOULTRY

is hosting a web-based "Farm Depopulation Training" on Tuesday, May 12, from 1-2:15p.m. EDT and from 2:15-3:30 p.m. EDT. The web-based training is free of charge to USPOULTRY members.

The "Farm Depopulation Training" will feature Robert Alphin, instructor, University of Delaware, and Dr. Eric Benson, professor in the Department of Animal and Food Sciences, University of Delaware.

Alphin has been involved in research related to emergency poultry disease response, including emergency depopulation of poultry, in-house composting of litter/poultry carcasses and testing of disinfectant strategies and disinfectants for avian disease decontamination. Benson has been involved in emergency animal response, and he and his team have been involved in support for the current HPAIV outbreak at

both the state and federal level.

Alphin will cover "Guidelines for Depopulation" from 1-2:15 p.m. EDT. He will address the guidelines, methods and criteria for depopulation and the advantages and disadvantages of several gas depopulation techniques.

Dr. Benson will cover "Foam Depopulation" from 2:15-3:30 p.m. EDT. Participants will learn about the characteristics of foam, the science behind the procedure and how to implement foam depopulation.

Participants will be able to submit questions throughout both web-based training sessions, which will be answered by Alphin and Dr. Benson during a question and answer period at the end of the program. All participants will receive a copy of the recorded programs and a one-page document containing important points from the web-based training.

Full text:

http://www.uspoultry.org/mediacenter/docs/2015_USPOULTRYBiosecurityFarmDepopulation.pdf  

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