Tweet
hat tip @nlintelligence
Attached Files
-
-
Re: US - Washington state: H5N2 & H5N8 found in 2 birds (not poultry) in Whatcom county - OIE report
Quote from the two OIE-reports, copied for better readability
Epidemiological comments (H5N2)
As a precaution and in response to the recent HPAI outbreak in Canada, surveillance of poultry premises and of wild bird mortality events was enhanced by the USDA, and State personnel along the United States - Canadian Border. Through this surveillance, highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5 was identified in wild birds.
Two serotypes were identified on enhanced surveillance, both with amino acid sequence at the HA cleavage site consistent with HPAI, H5N8 and H5N2. H5N8 was identified in a captive wild gyrfalcon that was fed hunter killed wild birds from Whatcom County, Washington and H5N2 was identified in a wild pintail duck also from Whatcom County, Washington.
Preliminary analysis suggests this H5N2 is similar to the HPAI identified in the current Canadian outbreak. Based upon sequence attempt from a virus isolate, an avian influenza subtype H5 of Eurasian lineage (partial HA 98% similarity to A/bean goose/Korea/H40/2014) and N2 of US wild bird lineage (partial NA 98% similarity to A/American green-winged teal/California/HKWF609/2007); the amino acid sequence at the hemagglutinin cleavage site is consistent with highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI).
Preliminary data suggests that these virus strains (H5N2 and H5N8) may be related with the H5N8 strain potentially representing the progenitor; however further analysis is needed.
Neither of these viruses has been found in any poultry in the United States. These H5N8 and H5N2 detections involve only wild birds.
Further investigation and characterization of the HPAI viruses is ongoing.
Epidemiological comments (H5N8)
As a precaution and in response to the recent HPAI outbreak in Canada, surveillance of poultry premises and of wild bird mortality events was enhanced by the USDA, and State personnel along the United States - Canadian Border. Through this surveillance, highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5 was identified in wild birds.
Two serotypes were identified on enhanced surveillance, both with amino acid sequence at the HA cleavage site consistent with HPAI, H5N8 and H5N2. H5N8 was identified in a captive wild gyrfalcon that was fed hunter killed wild birds from Whatcom County, Washington and H5N2 was identified in a wild pintail duck also from Whatcom County, Washington. Based upon direct sequencing from gyrfalcon specimens, an avian influenza subtype H5N8 of Eurasian lineage (partial H5 99% similarity to A/coot/Korea/H81/2014 and partial N8 99% similarity to A/Baikal teal/Korea/H41/2014).
The amino acid sequence at the hemagglutinin cleavage site is consistent with highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). Preliminary data suggests that these virus strains (H5N2 and H5N8) may be related with the H5N8 strain potentially representing the progenitor; however further analysis is needed.
Neither of these viruses has been found in any poultry in the United States. These H5N8 and H5N2 detections involve only wild birds.
Further investigation and characterization of the HPAI viruses is ongoing.
?Addressing chronic disease is an issue of human rights ? that must be our call to arms"
Richard Horton, Editor-in-Chief The Lancet
~~~~ Twitter:@GertvanderHoek ~~~ GertvanderHoek@gmail.com ~~~ -
Re: US - Washington state: H5N2 & H5N8 found in 2 birds (not poultry) in Whatcom county - OIE report
USDA
USDA Confirms H5 Avian Influenza in Washington State Wild Birds
H5N2 Found in Northern Pintail Ducks & H5N8 Found in Captive Gyrfalcons
WASHINGTON, Dec. 16, 2014? The United States Department of Agriculture?s
(USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) confirmed the presence of
highly pathogenic (HPAI) H5 avian influenza in wild birds in Whatcom County,
Washington. Two separate virus strains were identified: HPAI H5N2 in northern pintail
ducks and HPAI H5N8 in captive Gyrfalcons that were fed hunter-killed wild birds.
Neither virus has been found in commercial poultry anywhere in the United States.
There is no immediate public health concern with either of these avian influenza viruses.
Both H5N2 and H5N8 viruses have been found in other parts of the world and have not
caused any human infection to date.
The finding in Whatcom County was quickly reported and identified due to increased
surveillance for avian influenza in light of the HPAI H5N2 avian influenza affecting
commercial poultry in British Columbia, Canada.
Washington State, USDA, and other Federal partners are working jointly on additional
surveillance and testing of birds in the nearby area.
All bird owners, whether commercial producers or backyard enthusiasts, are encouraged
to practice good biosecurity, prevent contact between their birds and wild birds, and to
report sick birds or unusual bird deaths to State/Federal officials, either through your state
veterinarian or through USDA?s toll-free number at 1-866-536-7593. Additional
information on biosecurity for backyard flocks can be found at
healthybirds.aphis.usda.gov
thanks to Mike Coston?Addressing chronic disease is an issue of human rights ? that must be our call to arms"
Richard Horton, Editor-in-Chief The Lancet
~~~~ Twitter:@GertvanderHoek ~~~ GertvanderHoek@gmail.com ~~~Comment
-
Re: US - Washington state: H5N2 & H5N8 found in 2 birds (not poultry) in Whatcom county - OIE report
> partial HA 98% similarity to A/bean goose/Korea/H40/2014)
it should be more than 98% if it's exactly that H5 from KoreaI'm interested in expert panflu damage estimates
my current links: http://bit.ly/hFI7H ILI-charts: http://bit.ly/CcRgTComment
-
Re: US - Washington state: H5N2 & H5N8 found in 2 birds (not poultry) in Whatcom county - OIE report
Avian flu confirmed in wild birds in US
US agriculture officials have found avian influenza in wild birds in Washington state but say there's no immediate public health concern.
The US Department of Agriculture said separate strains of the H5 virus were identified in a northern pintail duck and a gyrfalcon.
Both viruses have been found in other parts of the world and have not caused any human infection to date, the USDA said. Neither virus has been found in commercial poultry in the US.
An avian influenza outbreak this month in southwest British Columbia spread to several poultry farms, and 155,000 birds have died of the virus or will be euthanised, Canadian officials said last week.
'There's really no reason to panic. This does not represent an increased risk to people,' said Dr. Kristin Mansfield, a veterinarian with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.
'There's very little to no risk of these viruses affecting people.'
The state's two confirmed cases are a captive falcon with the H5N8 strain of avian flu, and a wild duck with the H5N2 strain, said Hector Castro, a spokesman for the state Department of Agriculture.
- See more at: http://www.skynews.com.au/news/world....2Uz7xuQh.dpufComment
-
Re: US - Washington state: H5N2 & H5N8 found in 2 birds (not poultry) in Whatcom county - OIE report
Wiser Lake, where the pintail duck was shot, is 10km South
of the Canadian border , 20km SW of AbbotsfordAttached FilesI'm interested in expert panflu damage estimates
my current links: http://bit.ly/hFI7H ILI-charts: http://bit.ly/CcRgTComment
-
-
Re: US - Washington state: H5N2 & H5N8 found in 2 birds (not poultry) in Whatcom county - OIE report
<table border="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td colspan="2" style="height: 68px" width="324">For immediate release:
Dec. 16, 2014
Contact: Hector Castro
(360) 902-1815</td><td style="text-align: center; height: 68;" valign="top" width="389"> WASHINGTON STATE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
P.O. Box 42560, Olympia, Washington 98504-2560
This news release is also available as a PDF. </td></tr></tbody></table> <hr> WSDA to hold town hall meeting on avian influenza
OLYMPIA ? The Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) will hold a town hall meeting this Thursday to discuss avian influenza and steps poultry owners should be taking to protect their birds following confirmation of the disease among wild fowl in our state.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today confirmed the presence of highly pathogenic avian influenza in wild birds in Whatcom County. Two separate virus strains were identified in northern pintail ducks and in captive Gyrfalcons that were fed hunter-killed wild birds.
Avian influenza is a highly contagious viral disease that can be deadly to poultry, but there have been no reports of the disease in Washington?s domestic poultry population.
The virus found in the wild fowl in Whatcom County is different from the avian influenza virus found recently among infected turkeys and chickens on farms in British Columbia, Canada. It is too soon to say whether the two detections are related. That information will require more testing.
Humans are rarely affected by avian influenza and there has never been a reported instance of a person becoming ill from an infected bird in the United States, although some cases have occurred in foreign countries where people have come in close contact with infected birds.
?There are many strains of avian influenza and it is not uncommon for wild water fowl to carry the virus,? said Dr. Joe Baker, Washington state veterinarian. ?This is why it is critical for poultry owners to take steps to protect their birds from wild fowl.?
The WSDA town hall meeting will be held at 6 p.m. Dec. 18 at the Lynden Rotary Club and is open to the public. WSDA would like to particularly invite poultry producers or owners of backyard flocks to attend.
The finding in Whatcom County was quickly reported and identified due to increased surveillance for avian influenza in light of the avian influenza affecting commercial poultry in British Columbia.
Swab samples from the captive gyrfalcon were sent to the Washington State University Avian Health & Food Safety Laboratory in Puyallup and confirmed positive over the weekend through the USDA?s National Veterinary Services Laboratory in Iowa.
The virus can be spread by direct contact with infected birds, contaminated equipment, and through airborne transmission over short distances. The virus is found in feces, saliva, and respiratory secretions of birds carrying the disease.
Washington state officials and the USDA are working jointly to do additional surveillance and testing of birds in the nearby Whatcom County area.
Birds affected by avian influenza can show a variety of symptoms, including:
- decreased appetite
- coughing and sneezing
- lowered egg production
- greenish diarrhea
- excessive thirst
- swollen wattles and combs
Persons seeing sickness in domestic birds are asked to contact the WSDA Avian Health Program at 1-800-606-3056. Sick and dead wild birds should be reported to the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife at 1-800-606-8768. If you are concerned about sickness in you or your family, please contact Washington State Department of Health at 1-800-525-0127.
Follow WSDA on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube
"Safety and security don't just happen, they are the result of collective consensus and public investment. We owe our children, the most vulnerable citizens in our society, a life free of violence and fear."
-Nelson MandelaComment
Comment