Avian influenza detected in Stoddard County broiler chickens

Stoddard County Health Center Director Ben Godwin stated in a social media release that a flock of broiler chickens in Stoddard County has tested positive for avian influenza. Godwin said the test was confirmed by the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS).

Godwin's release said samples from the flock were tested at the University of Missouri Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory, part of the National Animal Health Laboratory Network, and confirmed at the APHIS National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL) in Ames, Iowa.

The APHIS is working closely with state animal health officials in Missouri on a joint incident response to the positive test. State officials quarantined the affected premises, and birds on the properties will be depopulated to prevent the spread of the disease and birds from the flock will not enter the food system.

Godwin said according to the U.S. Centers for disease control and Prevention that the recent HPAI detections do not present an immediate public health concern.

Godwin said cases of avian influenza in humans is very rare nd cause flu like symptoms. Additionally Godwin said no human cases of these avian influenza viruses have been detected in the United States.

Godwin said everyone should cook all poultry and eggs to an internal temperature of 165º F to kill bacteria and viruses.

As part of the existing avian influenza response plans, Federal and State partners are working jointly on additional surveillance and testing in the areas around the affected flock. Godwin's release said the United States has the strongest AI surveillance program in the world, and USDA is working with its partners to actively look for the disease in commercial poultry operations, live bird markets and in migratory wild bird populations. Anyone involved with poultry production from the small backyard to the large commercial producer should review their biosecurity activities to assure the health of their birds. The APHIS has materials about biosecurity, including videos, checklists, and a toolkit available at https://www.aphis.usda.gov/.../dtf-resources/dtf-resources.

Godwin said the USDA will report these finding to the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) as well as international trading partners. He said the USDA also continues to communicate with trading partners to encourage adherence to OIE standards and minimize trade impacts.

The OIE trade guidelines call on countries to base trade restrictions on sound science. And, whenever possible, limit restrictions to those animals and animal products within a defined region that pose a risk of spreading disease of concern.

Godwin said that the APHIS will continue to announce the first case of HPAI in commercial and backyard flocks detected in a State but will not announce subsequent detections in the State. All cases in commercial and backyard flocks will be listed on the APHIS website at https://www.aphis.usda.gov/.../avian-influenza/2022-hpai.

According to Godwin's release all bird owner's should prevent contact between their birds and wild birds and report sick birds or unusual bird deaths to State/Federal officials, either through their state veterinarian or through APHIS’ toll-free number at 1-866-536-7593, in addition to practicing good biosecurity.

Additionally the APHIS is urging producers to consider bringing birds indoors when possible to further prevent exposures. The Animal Health Protection Act authorizes APHIS to provide indemnity payments to producers for birds and eggs that must be depopulated during a disease response.

The APHIS also provides compensation for disposal activities and virus elimination activities. Additional information on biosecurity for backyard flocks can be found at http://healthybirds.aphis.usda.gov.

Additional background on Avian influenza

Avian influenza (AI) is caused by an influenza type A virus which can infect poultry (such as chickens, turkeys, pheasants, quail, domestic ducks, geese, and guinea fowl) and is carried by free flying waterfowl such as ducks, geese and shorebirds. AI viruses are classified by a combination of two groups of proteins: hemagglutinin or “H” proteins, of which there are 16 (H1–H16), and neuraminidase or “N” proteins, of which there are 9 (N1–N9). Many different combinations of “H” and “N” proteins are possible. Each combination is considered a different subtype and can be further broken down into different strains which circulate within flyways/geographic regions. AI viruses are further classified by their pathogenicity (low or high)—the ability of a particular virus strain to produce disease in domestic poultry.