Protecting American Agriculture1

The Wild Bird Population: An Early Warning System for Avian Influenza

Dr. Ron DeHavenAdministrator

USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection ServiceJanuary 27, 2006

Protecting American Agriculture2

International Assistance

USDA is providing assistance to international organizations by providing:

• Technical expertise and assessments for countries affected by AI

• Financial assistance

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USDA’s Longstanding Domestic Interventions

• Targeted surveillance/cooperative efforts with States

and Industry

• Trade restrictions and smuggling prevention

• Migratory bird surveillance and testing

• Stockpile of AI vaccine for poultry

• Outreach and education

• Quarantine and testing of legally imported birds

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Supplemental AI Funding• USDA received approximately $91 million• For domestic efforts, $73 million will help enhance and

increase:

Wild bird surveillance and diagnosticsAnimal vaccine stockpileBiosecurity measuresSmuggling interdiction and trade complianceResearch and development Planning, equipment, and training

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Three HPAI Findings in the United States

•1924 – “Fowl Plague” affected live bird markets in the Northeastern U.S

•1983 – destruction of 17 million birds in PA

•2004 – quickly contained and eradicated in TX

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Avian Influenza Transmission

• AI is primarily spread by:

Direct contact between infected birds and healthy birds

Indirect contact with contaminated equipment and

materials

• Wild waterfowl are a natural reservoir for AI viruses

• Airborne transmission from farm to farm is highly

unlikely

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Highly Pathogenic AI in Wild Birds

• Wild birds may play a role in moving HPAI

• Asian H5N1 may be adapting to wild birds

• Most outbreaks are likely due to the movement of poultry and poultry products

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Wildlife Monitoring

• USDA and DOI sampling of migratory birds

• Ongoing studies by USDA and university partners in AlaskaOver 12,000 samples with no evidence of HPAI

• USDA’s National Wildlife Disease Surveillance and Emergency Response System

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Wild Bird Highly Pathogenic AI Interagency Working Group

Membership

• USDA• DOI • HHS• State of Alaska • International Assoc. of Fish and Wildlife Agencies • National Assoc. of Public Health Veterinarians

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Draft U.S. Interagency Strategic PlanAn Early Detection System for Asian H5N1 Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in Wild Migratory Birds

• Developed by wildlife biologists, veterinarians, and epidemiologists

• Early detection is the key

• Unified national system for conducting H5N1 monitoring and surveillance of migratory birds

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Preparedness in the Event of an Outbreak

• USDA’ comprehensive emergency response structure:

Partnerships with local, State, and Federal organizations

Integration with the National Response PlanContinual collaboration with Federal entitiesDiagnostic capabilities

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Response in the Event of an HPAI Outbreak

• Response actions for domestic flocks:

Quarantine and humane euthanasia

Cleaning and disinfection of premises

Possible use of vaccine in poultry

Indemnity payments

Communication to media and the public

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USDA AI Web Sitewww.usda.gov/birdflu

• Information about “Biosecurity for the Birds” program• Links to other Federal entities working on AI• Fact Sheets and other information resources• Q&A on AI• News Releases• Technical Briefings