Re: USDA - LP H5N1 suspected in duck - Hyde County, North Carolina
USDA BF Fact Sheet:
AVIAN INFLUENZA Low Pathogenic H5N1 vs. Highly Pathogenic H5N1 Latest UPDATE September 28, 2006
There are two types of avian influenza (AI) that are identified as H5N1. A difference exists in the virus classification; one is low pathogenic (LPAI) and the other is highly pathogenic (HPAI). Pathogenicity refers to the ability of the virus to produce disease.
HPAI H5N1, often referred to as the "Asian" H5N1, is the type causing worldwide concern. LPAI H5N1, often referred to as the "North American" H5N1, is of less concern. Following is an explanation of the differences between them.
LPAI H5N1 ("North American" H5N1)
LPAI, or "low path" AI, commonly occurs in wild birds. In most cases, it causes minor sickness or no noticeable signs of disease.
It is rarely fatal in birds. LPAI strains are not a human health concern. This includes LPAI H5N1.
Evidence of LPAI H5N1 has been found in wild birds in the United States in recent years and is not closely related to the more severe HPAI H5N1 circulating overseas. Examples of historical reports of LPAI H5N1 received by USDA include:
1975 - LPAI H5N1 was detected in a wild mallard duck and a wild blue goose in Wisconsin as part of routine sampling, not as a result of noticeable illness in the birds
1981 and 1985 - the University of Minnesota conducted a sampling procedure in which sentinel ducks were monitored in cages placed in the wild for a short period of time and LPAI H5N1 was detected in those ducks in both years.
1983 - LPAI H5N1 was detected in ring-billed gulls in Pennsylvania.
1986 - LPAI H5N1 was detected in a wild mallard duck in Ohio as part of routine sampling, not as a result of noticeable illness in the birds.
2002 - LPAI H5N1 antibodies were detected in turkeys in Michigan but the virus could not be isolated; therefore this detection could not be confirmed.
2005 - LPAI H5N1 was detected in ducks in Manitoba, Canada.
2006 - LPAI H5N1 was confirmed in two Michigan mute swans, Maryland resident wild mallard ducks, and Pennsylvania wild mallard ducks sampled as part of USDA's expanded avian influenza surveillance.
In the past, there was no requirement for reporting or tracking LPAI H5 or H7 detections in wild birds so states and universities tested wild bird samples independently of USDA. Because of this, the above list of previous detections might not be all inclusive of past LPAI H5N1 detections. However, the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) recently changed its requirement of reporting detections of avian influenza.
Effective in 2006, all confirmed LPAI H5 and H7 AI subtypes must be reported to the OIE because of their potential to mutate into highly pathogenic strains. Therefore, USDA now tracks these detections in wild birds, backyard flocks, commercial flocks and live bird markets.
HPAI H5N1 ("Asian" H5N1)
HPAI, or "high path" AI, spreads rapidly and is often fatal to chickens and turkeys. This includes HPAI H5N1. Millions of birds have died in countries where HPAI H5N1 has been detected. This virus has also infected people, most of whom have had direct contact with infected birds.
HPAI H5N1 has not been detected in the United States. However, other strains of HPAI have been detected and eradicated three times in the United States: in 1924, 1983 and 2004. No significant human illness resulted from these outbreaks.
The 1924 HPAI H7 outbreak was contained and eradicated in East Coast live bird markets.
The 1983-84 HPAI H5N2 outbreak resulted in humanely euthanizing approximately 17 million chickens, turkeys and guinea fowl in Pennsylvania and Virginia to contain and eradicate the disease.
In 2004, USDA confirmed an HPAI H5N2 outbreak in chickens in Texas. The disease was quickly eradicated thanks to close coordination and cooperation between USDA and State, local, and industry leaders.
