What You Need To Know About Avian Influenza (Bird Flu)

What is avian influenza?

Avian influenza (AI), a virus commonly known as the "bird flu," is a infectious disease of birds caused by type A strains of the influenza virus.

How is AI spread?

Experts believe AI is being spread primarily through wild migratory waterfowl and backyard flocks. The virus can also be spread from infected flocks to other farms via contaminated equipment, clothing and shoes, cages or transportation vehicles.

Can I catch AI from eggs I eat? What if I eat chicken or turkey?

To date, there is no evidence that AI can be transmitted through food. As a reminder, however, the best way to reduce the risk of food-borne illness is to thoroughly cook all eggs and poultry products at recommended temperatures and to use appropriate food handling techniques including washing hands, counter tops and any utensils that come in contact with food.

Can humans contract the disease?

Yes, but only through direct contact with infected birds or their manure, and only if those birds are infected with the virus strains that can infect humans. Very few of the avian strains are transmittable to humans.

Is AI a problem in Ohio? Could it be?

No outbreaks of high-path, reportable strains of AI have been documented in Ohio to date, underscoring the value of effective biosecurity programs. Cage and confinement systems used by most of Ohio's chicken, turkey and egg producers prevent domestic poultry from having direct contact with free-flying birds.In addition, Ohio has regulations already in place that allow the refusal of poultry imports from quarantined farms. There is also a long-standing state requirement that all livestock and poultry brought into Ohio have a certificate of veterinary inspection to make sure they are disease free.

What preventive measures are in place to protect Ohioans from this disease and to prevent the disease from spreading to other flocks?

Ohio poultry producers in cooperation with university and state poultry health experts developed and emergency disease plan that will be activated if the disease appears in the US. In addition, a number of strict biosecurity guidelines are employed on Ohio's farms, including:

•   Veterinary monitoring programs;
•   Restricting access to poultry facilities to essential personnel only:
•   Prohibiting employees from keeping wild birds or handling birds off the premises of the poultry operation:
•   Prohibiting employees from visiting more than one poultry barn in a multi-house complex on a given day: and
•   Using protective gear, such a biodsecurity suits (coveralls) and shoe covers, at all times.

Could what is happening in Asia happen here?

It is unlikely that a similar scale outbreak could occur in the United States. The U.S. has significant biosecurity measures in place for managing such an outbreak and follows international guidelines for the destruction and disposal of infected birds. In addition, standard systems for raising commercial poultry in the U.S. prevent the birds from having direct contact with the waste fo wild birds and waterfowl, cited as one of the major sources of AI.

                                                  Information provided by:

                                        OHIO POULTRY ASSOCIATION

                                                  Phone (614) 882-6111

                                                      fax  (614) 882-9444

                                                   www.ohiopoultry.org