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Bird flu: planning for all eventualities
Published: Friday, March 31, 2006
By Nancy Remsen
Free Press Staff Writer
MONTPELIER -- Kate Scarlott, a farmer from East Hardwick with a flock of 200 chickens, took copious notes Thursday as officials from three state agencies briefed lawmakers on their preparations to cope with bird flu.
Officials described surveillance measures planned for this summer to detect the disease -- identified as H5N1 influenza -- which has swept across Asia to Europe but has yet to show up in wild or domestic birds in North America. Officials also listed the measures they would take if the disease turns up on farms and outlined emergency planning if the virus mutates so it transmits easily among people.
"All this is happening," Scarlott observed, "but where has been the involvement with the small farmer?" She said she fears an overreaction to the spread of bird flu, resulting in burdensome restrictions on farming practices and unnecessary destruction of flocks.
Although Scarlott left the three-hour session worried that voices like hers had yet to be heard, many members of the House Agriculture and Fish and Wildlife committees came away reassured that so much planning had been completed.
"It seems like there is great inter-agency cooperation," said Fish and Wildlife Committee Chairman Steve Adams, R-Hartland. "It is good that we are planning this far ahead." The human risk
Influenza in birds is common, but in 1997 a more virulent virus showed up in chickens in Hong Kong. Despite the destruction of infected flocks and several infection-free years, the virus reappeared in 2003 in eight Asian countries.
Because the virus has infected people, scientists worry about its potential to become a human pandemic. This particular flu could pose a special threat to public health because people lack immunities to it and it has proved fatal to half those it infected.
State Epidemiologist Cort Lohff reassured lawmakers and the audience Thursday that the risk to humans is "very, very low. That risk is really confined to contact with infected birds and contaminated environments."
The development of this variant has spurred state and national planning for a possible pandemic. Lohff highlighted the challenge posed by waves of illness incapacitating as much as 40 percent of the population. "We are going to have simultaneous and sustained impacts," he said. "We won't be able to rely on others to help us with a response."
Mark Metayer, deputy commissioner of public safety, lugged a thick notebook to the witness table to demonstrate that development of a response to such a public health emergency is under way. He said a pandemic exercise would take place this summer.
"The communications lines are in place to ramp up to meet whatever need is on the horizon," Metayer said. He added that Vermonters also have a tradition of self-reliance that would be important in such an emergency. "We encourage that the planning really start at the family level." Flyways and farms
Scientists disagree about how bird flu traveled across Asia to Europe. It seemed to follow trade routes rather than migratory bird flyways but has shown up in wild bird populations.
Fish and Wildlife Commissioner Wayne LaRoche told lawmakers that the Atlantic Flyway, which runs along the East Coast, is considered the least likely point of entry for infected birds. Alaska is the more likely door to North America, and that's where much surveillance money will be spent this summer, LaRoche said. "But that doesn't mean we shouldn't be out there looking."
Rep. Steve Green, D-Berlin, disputed the conclusion that infected birds from Europe wouldn't make their way to the East Coast. Green worried the state wasn't planning enough monitoring of wild birds.
Jim Shallow, conservation and policy director for Audubon Vermont, promised that bird watchers would be alert for signs of sick birds. His organization might also swab birds it bands to assist in disease detection.
Shallow suggested many unknowns remain about this bird flu. He concluded that "migratory birds probably are the least likely way that avian flu will enter North America."
State Veterinarian Kerry Rood reported that monitoring on farms had begun and would continue. He said large poultry operations usually have their flocks caged in buildings, while small farms are more likely to let the chickens run loose. If the virus comes to the continent, Rood said, "we will want you to bring in your flocks."
Rood urged farmers to take other precautions to protect their flocks, such as controlling visitors, especially those who travel among farms, and making sure they wash boots and car tires.
If there is an outbreak on a Vermont farm, Rood said all the birds would be quarantined and destroyed. Travel and trade restrictions would be placed on flocks at surrounding farms, too.
State officials have promoted a farm registration program as a critical aid in a bird flu outbreak and in dealing with other animal diseases. Some farmers, especially smaller operations, worry about this intrusion into their private affairs.
Agriculture Secretary Stephen Kerr defended the registration concept Thursday with an analogy. "If we want to put out a fire quickly, we need to know where their house is."
Contact Nancy Remsen at 229-9141 or nremsen@bfp.burlingtonfreepress.com
AVIAN FLU INFORMATION An outbreak of avian influenza or bird flu has spread from Asia to Europe, affecting millions of birds. This variant is identified as H5N1. It is expected to spread to North America. This flu had infected 186 people as of March 24, with 105 deaths. Nearly all those infected had close contact with sick birds. DEFINITIONS COMMON FLU: A respiratory illness that can be transmitted person to person. Most people have immunity and a vaccine is available.
BIRD FLU: An illness caused by influenza viruses that occur naturally among wild birds. The H5N1 variant is deadly to domestic fowl and can be transmitted from birds to humans. There is no human immunity and no vaccine available.
PANDEMIC FLU: A virulent human flu that causes a global outbreak, or pandemic, of serious illness. Because there is little natural immunity, the disease can spread easily from person to person. Currently, there is no pandemic flu. PAST PANDEMICS 1918: Spanish flu H1N1, the most devastating flu pandemic in recent history, killed more than 500,000 people in the United States and 20 million to as many as 50 million worldwide.
1957-58: Asian flu H2N2 was first identified in China. It caused 70,000 deaths in the United States. This flu hasn't circulated since 1968, so no one under age 30 has immunity to this strain.
1968-69: Hong Kong flu H3N2, first detected in Hong Kong, caused 34,000 deaths in the United States. It still circulates today. Sources: National Institutes of Health and U.S government Web site for information on pandemic flu and avian influenza. Find link and other information at pandemicflu.gov
By Nancy Remsen
Free Press Staff Writer
MONTPELIER -- Kate Scarlott, a farmer from East Hardwick with a flock of 200 chickens, took copious notes Thursday as officials from three state agencies briefed lawmakers on their preparations to cope with bird flu.
Officials described surveillance measures planned for this summer to detect the disease -- identified as H5N1 influenza -- which has swept across Asia to Europe but has yet to show up in wild or domestic birds in North America. Officials also listed the measures they would take if the disease turns up on farms and outlined emergency planning if the virus mutates so it transmits easily among people.
"All this is happening," Scarlott observed, "but where has been the involvement with the small farmer?" She said she fears an overreaction to the spread of bird flu, resulting in burdensome restrictions on farming practices and unnecessary destruction of flocks.
Although Scarlott left the three-hour session worried that voices like hers had yet to be heard, many members of the House Agriculture and Fish and Wildlife committees came away reassured that so much planning had been completed.
"It seems like there is great inter-agency cooperation," said Fish and Wildlife Committee Chairman Steve Adams, R-Hartland. "It is good that we are planning this far ahead." The human risk
Influenza in birds is common, but in 1997 a more virulent virus showed up in chickens in Hong Kong. Despite the destruction of infected flocks and several infection-free years, the virus reappeared in 2003 in eight Asian countries.
Because the virus has infected people, scientists worry about its potential to become a human pandemic. This particular flu could pose a special threat to public health because people lack immunities to it and it has proved fatal to half those it infected.
State Epidemiologist Cort Lohff reassured lawmakers and the audience Thursday that the risk to humans is "very, very low. That risk is really confined to contact with infected birds and contaminated environments."
The development of this variant has spurred state and national planning for a possible pandemic. Lohff highlighted the challenge posed by waves of illness incapacitating as much as 40 percent of the population. "We are going to have simultaneous and sustained impacts," he said. "We won't be able to rely on others to help us with a response."
Mark Metayer, deputy commissioner of public safety, lugged a thick notebook to the witness table to demonstrate that development of a response to such a public health emergency is under way. He said a pandemic exercise would take place this summer.
"The communications lines are in place to ramp up to meet whatever need is on the horizon," Metayer said. He added that Vermonters also have a tradition of self-reliance that would be important in such an emergency. "We encourage that the planning really start at the family level." Flyways and farms
Scientists disagree about how bird flu traveled across Asia to Europe. It seemed to follow trade routes rather than migratory bird flyways but has shown up in wild bird populations.
Fish and Wildlife Commissioner Wayne LaRoche told lawmakers that the Atlantic Flyway, which runs along the East Coast, is considered the least likely point of entry for infected birds. Alaska is the more likely door to North America, and that's where much surveillance money will be spent this summer, LaRoche said. "But that doesn't mean we shouldn't be out there looking."
Rep. Steve Green, D-Berlin, disputed the conclusion that infected birds from Europe wouldn't make their way to the East Coast. Green worried the state wasn't planning enough monitoring of wild birds.
Jim Shallow, conservation and policy director for Audubon Vermont, promised that bird watchers would be alert for signs of sick birds. His organization might also swab birds it bands to assist in disease detection.
Shallow suggested many unknowns remain about this bird flu. He concluded that "migratory birds probably are the least likely way that avian flu will enter North America."
State Veterinarian Kerry Rood reported that monitoring on farms had begun and would continue. He said large poultry operations usually have their flocks caged in buildings, while small farms are more likely to let the chickens run loose. If the virus comes to the continent, Rood said, "we will want you to bring in your flocks."
Rood urged farmers to take other precautions to protect their flocks, such as controlling visitors, especially those who travel among farms, and making sure they wash boots and car tires.
If there is an outbreak on a Vermont farm, Rood said all the birds would be quarantined and destroyed. Travel and trade restrictions would be placed on flocks at surrounding farms, too.
State officials have promoted a farm registration program as a critical aid in a bird flu outbreak and in dealing with other animal diseases. Some farmers, especially smaller operations, worry about this intrusion into their private affairs.
Agriculture Secretary Stephen Kerr defended the registration concept Thursday with an analogy. "If we want to put out a fire quickly, we need to know where their house is."
Contact Nancy Remsen at 229-9141 or nremsen@bfp.burlingtonfreepress.com
AVIAN FLU INFORMATION An outbreak of avian influenza or bird flu has spread from Asia to Europe, affecting millions of birds. This variant is identified as H5N1. It is expected to spread to North America. This flu had infected 186 people as of March 24, with 105 deaths. Nearly all those infected had close contact with sick birds. DEFINITIONS COMMON FLU: A respiratory illness that can be transmitted person to person. Most people have immunity and a vaccine is available.
BIRD FLU: An illness caused by influenza viruses that occur naturally among wild birds. The H5N1 variant is deadly to domestic fowl and can be transmitted from birds to humans. There is no human immunity and no vaccine available.
PANDEMIC FLU: A virulent human flu that causes a global outbreak, or pandemic, of serious illness. Because there is little natural immunity, the disease can spread easily from person to person. Currently, there is no pandemic flu. PAST PANDEMICS 1918: Spanish flu H1N1, the most devastating flu pandemic in recent history, killed more than 500,000 people in the United States and 20 million to as many as 50 million worldwide.
1957-58: Asian flu H2N2 was first identified in China. It caused 70,000 deaths in the United States. This flu hasn't circulated since 1968, so no one under age 30 has immunity to this strain.
1968-69: Hong Kong flu H3N2, first detected in Hong Kong, caused 34,000 deaths in the United States. It still circulates today. Sources: National Institutes of Health and U.S government Web site for information on pandemic flu and avian influenza. Find link and other information at pandemicflu.gov