# Presentation: 913519

## The Wild Bird Population: An Early Warning System for Avian Influenza

- Dr. Ron DeHaven
- Administrator
- USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
- January 27, 2006

## International Assistance

- USDA is providing assistance to international organizations by providing:
- Technical expertise and assessments for countries affected by AI
- Financial assistance

## USDA’s Longstanding Domestic Interventions

- Targeted surveillance/cooperative efforts with States and Industry
- Trade restrictions and smuggling prevention
- Migratory bird surveillance and testing
- Stockpile of AI vaccine for poultry
- Outreach and education
- Quarantine and testing of legally imported birds

## Supplemental AI Funding

- USDA received approximately $91 million
- For domestic efforts, $73 million will help enhance and increase:
- Wild bird surveillance and diagnostics
- Animal vaccine stockpile
- Biosecurity measures
- Smuggling interdiction and trade compliance
- Research and development
- Planning, equipment, and training

## Three HPAI Findings in the United States 

- 1924 – “Fowl Plague” affected live bird markets in the Northeastern U.S
- 1983 – destruction of  17 million birds in PA
- 2004 – quickly contained and eradicated in TX

## Avian Influenza Transmission

- AI is primarily spread by:
- Direct contact between infected birds and healthy birds
- Indirect contact with contaminated equipment and materials
- Wild waterfowl are a natural reservoir for AI viruses
- Airborne transmission from farm to farm is highly unlikely

## Highly Pathogenic AI in Wild Birds

- Wild birds may play a role in moving HPAI
- Asian H5N1 may be adapting to wild birds
- Most outbreaks are likely due to the movement of poultry and poultry products

## Wildlife Monitoring

- USDA and DOI sampling of migratory birds
- Ongoing studies by USDA and university partners in Alaska
- Over 12,000 samples with no evidence of HPAI
- USDA’s National Wildlife Disease Surveillance and Emergency Response System

## Wild Bird Highly Pathogenic AI Interagency Working Group

- 				_Membership_
- •  USDA
- •  DOI
- •  HHS
- •  State of Alaska
- •  International Assoc. of Fish and Wildlife Agencies
- •  National Assoc. of Public Health Veterinarians

## Draft U.S. Interagency Strategic PlanAn Early Detection System for Asian H5N1 Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in Wild Migratory Birds

- Developed by wildlife biologists, veterinarians, and epidemiologists
- Early detection is the key
- Unified national system for conducting H5N1 monitoring and surveillance of migratory birds

## Preparedness in the Event of an Outbreak

- USDA’ comprehensive emergency response structure:
- Partnerships with local, State, and Federal organizations
- Integration with the National Response Plan
- Continual collaboration with Federal entities
- Diagnostic capabilities

## Response in the Event of an HPAI Outbreak

- Response actions for domestic flocks:
- Quarantine and humane euthanasia
- Cleaning and disinfection of premises
- Possible use of vaccine in poultry
- Indemnity payments
- Communication to media and the public

## USDA AI Web Sitewww.usda.gov/birdflu

- USDA AI Web Sitewww.usda.gov/birdflu

- Information about “Biosecurity for the Birds” program
- Links to other Federal entities working on AI
- Fact Sheets and other information resources
- Q&A on AI
- News Releases
- Technical Briefings