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1. Additional Criteria Must Be Met Before Emergency Use of Vaccine for Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Can Be Approved
USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Bulletin
June 3, 2015
The U.S. Department of Agriculture continues to work closely with state and local partners and poultry producers who have been impacted by an outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). To date, USDA has deployed nearly 400 employees and contracted more than 2,100 personnel to work around the clock in states impacted by the outbreak. USDA has also identified more than $160 million in indemnity payments to date for producers whose flocks have been affected by HPAI, and we will continue to ensure adequate resources remain available to support a robust response.
As part of USDA's ongoing response, the Department evaluated the efficacy of current vaccine options for HPAI in addition to economic impacts of vaccination and has determined that, as it currently stands, additional criteria must be met before a vaccine can be approved for emergency use. Vaccines currently available are not well matched and do not meet a suitable level of efficacy. USDA also wants to be sure that the vaccine industry is in a position to produce enough doses to create an effective control measure. Finally, additional outreach with trading partners will be required to avoid significant market disruptions
In the weeks and months ahead, USDA will continue to support efforts to develop a more effective vaccine, assist poultry producers with strong biosecurity measures, indemnify producers for losses, and take aggressive action to maintain open markets for U.S. poultry based on international standards.
USDA will continue to encourage development of vaccines for HPAI and will approve vaccines as they are developed and evaluated. Currently, there is lack of a well matched, effective vaccine for HPAI from the public and private sectors. The vaccine currently available offers just 60 percent effectiveness in chickens, leaving 4 in 10 birds unprotected. The vaccine's effectiveness in turkeys is still being studied. USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) will reevaluate its vaccination decision as more effective vaccines are developed and ready for use, carefully considering both the efficacy of the vaccine and the potential trade impacts. If used, vaccines will be targeted in the states and poultry sectors where they can be most effective. Areas where quarantine, depopulation, and enhanced biosecurity cannot stop the spread of HPAI would be prioritized.
Full text:
http://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/USDAAPHIS/bulletins/1079e08
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2. USDA Confirms More Highly Pathogenic H5N2 Avian Influenza in Two Flocks in Minnesota and Iowa
USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Bulletin
June 3, 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 additional flocks in Minnesota and Iowa. No human infections with the virus have been detected at this time. CDC considers the risk to the general public 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:
Blue Earth County, Minnesota (June 2, 2015)
19,400 turkeys
Calhoun County, Iowa (June 2, 2015)
13,400 turkeys
2nd detection in this county
Full text:
http://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/USDAAPHIS/bulletins/107a0f3
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3. Large Renville County chicken farm hit by avian flu [MN]
Associated Press
KARE11.com
June 3, 2015
ST. PAUL, Minn. - Two poultry operations in Renville County have been struck by avian flu, including one with over 400,000 chickens.
The Minnesota Board of Animal Health says the farms with presumptive positive test results announced Wednesday included one with 415,000 young chickens that had not started laying eggs, and a turkey farm where the flock size was not immediately available.
The two new cases mark the seventh and eighth in Renville County. They raise the number of Minnesota farms affected to 106 and the total of birds producers have lost to nearly 8.9 million.
Source: http://tinyurl.com/ob6hfps
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4. National Pork Board defines antibiotics stewardship plan
Feedstuffs
June 3, 2015
The National Pork Board (NPB) announced today a stewardship plan to guide and support the responsible use of antibiotics for the U.S. pork industry. The newly defined position statement and governing policy was approved at the board's June meeting and announced through a news conference at World Pork Expo.
Following unanimous approval, the Pork Board updated its position and policy statement that "embraces responsible antibiotic use in pork production" and pledges to "emphasize these values in its revised Pork Quality Assurance Plus (PQA Plus) producer certification and training programs" in the year ahead. Additionally, NPB said it intends to allocate up to $1.4 million in funding of scientific research and antibiotic risk assessment studies, producer education, and consumer awareness programs.
"We understand the critically important role antibiotics play in both human medicine and in livestock production and know that consumers are keenly interested in how their food is produced," said Chris Hodges, NPB chief executive officer. "This stewardship plan will shape our industry's approach to antibiotics, finding ways for our pig farmers to improve animal health with and without antibiotics."
Source:
http://feedstuffs.com/story-national-pork-board-defines-antibiotics-stewardship-plan-45-128377
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5. AVMA CEO Shares Veterinary Commitments On Antibiotic Resistance At White House Event
PRNewswire
June 3, 2015
SCHAUMBURG, Ill. -- After participating in a White House forum on antibiotic resistance yesterday, Dr. Ron DeHaven, CEO of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), reiterated the association's commitment to enhanced veterinary oversight and responsible therapeutic use of antimicrobials in food animals to help protect the safety of people, animals and the food supply.
Speaking at a White House forum on June 2, American Veterinary Medical Association CEO Dr. Ron DeHaven shared several commitments the AVMA planned to make to meet the federal government's recommendations on combating antibiotic resistance.
The Forum on Antibiotic Stewardship was held to support the implementation of the White House's National Action Plan for Combating Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria. More than 150 key leaders from public and private human and animal health organizations were on hand to discuss their organizations' commitment to the action plan with federal officials.
In addition to the responsible use and veterinary oversight of antimicrobials used in food animals, Dr. DeHaven shared several other commitments the AVMA planned to make to meet the federal government's recommendations on combating antibiotic resistance, including:
Initiating an educational outreach campaign on the responsible therapeutic use of antimicrobials in animals, including greater veterinary oversight to assist in compliance with FDA guidance and regulations
Advocating for enhanced funding and capacity for surveillance and response in diagnostic animal health laboratories and the National Antimicrobial Resistance Monitoring System, as well as studies to assess antimicrobial resistance in food animals
Advocating for research and programs that address infectious and zoonotic diseases, food security and safety, and environmental issues relating to human and animal well-being
Promoting the understanding of antimicrobial resistance and the further development of alternatives to or improved uses of antimicrobials in food animals
Developing risk assessments to evaluate effectiveness of risk-mitigation strategies
Engaging in national and international scientific discussions on antimicrobial use and resistance
Full text: http://tinyurl.com/qcuuvxt
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6. Federal eateries join effort to curb animal antibiotic use
Mary Clare Jalonick, Associated Press
KRQE.com
June 3, 2015
WASHINGTON (AP) - President Barack Obama's effort to curb the use of antibiotics in animals raised for meat is starting with his own employees.
The White House said Tuesday that many federal cafeterias serving government workers will start serving meat and poultry from animals raised with fewer antibiotics. The directive would apply to all of those civilian government restaurants within five years.
The announcement is part of a White House summit on the responsible use of antibiotics. The Obama administration announced a plan earlier this year to fight the threat posed by antibiotic-resistant bacteria. While overuse in humans is the leading concern, the administration has worked to curb use in animals processed for meat, as well.
Full text:
http://krqe.com/2015/06/03/federal-eateries-join-effort-to-curb-animal-antibiotic-use/
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7. New director of MSU animal and public health center named [MI]
MSU Today
June 1, 2015
Rachel Reams has been named the director of the Michigan State University Diagnostic Center for Population and Animal Health, or DCPAH. She will assume the role on August 1, 2015.
DCPAH identifies, tracks and addresses emerging animal and public health issues including the highly pathogenic avian influenza that has been recently identified in 15 states. Currently, more than 33 million poultry have been affected. Faculty and staff at the center work with national, state and local officials to counter this threat, among others, such as chronic wasting disease, bovine tuberculosis and West Nile virus.
Reams comes to MSU from Covance Research Laboratories, where she is currently director of translational biomarker solutions. Prior to that, she was the director of discovery pathology and imaging at the laboratory. Her background includes being head of pathology at Lilly Research Laboratories, as well as being the director of the Puerto Rico Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory. She also led the Large Animal Pathology and Toxicology laboratory at the University of Pennsylvania's New Bolton Center.
Reams earned both her doctor of veterinary medicine and Ph.D. in veterinary pathology from Purdue University.
Strengthening DCPAH's leadership in its business, academic and government roles will be a key focus.
Full text:
http://msutoday.msu.edu/news/2015/new-director-of-msu-animal-and-public-health-center-named/
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