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Mild form of avian flu discovered in Virginia - not a threat
By Jennifer Bremer and Doug Rich Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) officials have canceled all public sales, shows and exhibitions of live poultry through the end of July after avian flu antibodies were found in a flock of 54,000 turkeys. Poultry flocks are routinely tested for avian influenza prior to slaughter. The affected flock of turkey in northern Virginia's Shenandoah County showed antibodies of low pathogenic avian influenza on July 6, which triggered the alert for the area. This strain of avian influenza poses no danger to humans, according to Elaine Lidholm, a spokeswoman for the VDACS. "The danger is really to the industry," said Lidholm. "The turkeys carrying the antibodies showed no signs of illness. However, the flock will be destroyed to safeguard other flocks." VDACS stressed that no affected birds entered or will enter the food chain and poultry products are safe to eat. This is not the severe, highly-pathogenic strain that caused widespread flock destruction and some human cases in countries outside the U.S. John Bryan with the Poultry Federation in Jefferson City, Mo., said the recent outbreak of Avian Influenza in Virginia was not all that serious. "The kind that they had is the low path strain and that is not that big of a deal," he said. "It is like the kids getting the flu during the winter. It happens, they take care of it, and it is no big deal." If it had been the high pathogenic strain, the kind they have r in southeast Asia, that would be a serious situation. That strain or type of avian influenza has never been found here in the U.S. "So we don't have much to worry about," Bryan said. "Our biosecurity measures are top-notch." "The low path surfaces every blue moon," Bryan said. "Our guys depopulate and take care of it." The affected flock contains 54,000 birds, which will be euthanized as soon as possible as a precaution, and will be composted on-site, according to a July 11 statement from VDACS. Besides canceling shows and sales, Dr. Richard Wilkes, state veterinarian at VDACS has prohibited land application of poultry litter, manure or bedding in 17 Virginia counties as a precaution. This order of cancellation will allow for the completion of initial surveillance to determine if poultry flocks within the state are at an increased risk of disease from avian influenza. According to the Centers for Disease Control, avian flu spreads when infected birds transmit the virus through saliva, nasal secretions and feces, and other birds have contact with contaminated secretions or excretions. The USDA National Veterinary Services Laboratory in Ames, Iowa is doing further testing to help identify the virus and hopefully determine its source. Jennifer Bremer can be reached by phone at 641-938-2342 or by e-mail at jbremermaj@hotmail.com. Doug Rich can be reached by phone at 785-749-5304, or by e-mail at richhpj@aol.com. 7/23/07
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