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FRANKFORT, Ky. — The Kentucky Department of Agriculture is cooperating with federal and other state agencies to prevent an outbreak of avian influenza in the Commonwealth.
“We understand the public’s concerns about avian influenza,” State Veterinarian Robert C. Stout said. “The state and our public and private partners have procedures in place to minimize the risk of an outbreak and to eradicate the disease if an outbreak occurs.” Dr. Stout said avian influenza has not been diagnosed in Kentucky.
Avian influenza is a virus that affects domestic poultry and some wild birds. It is spread largely through direct contact between infected and healthy birds. Some migratory birds are known to carry the virus. Contact with infected feces is the most common means of transmission.
There are different strains of the virus, and some are more severe than others. Strains generally are classified as low-pathology or high-pathology. Most are low-pathology, but some strains can change into the high-pathology variety.
Historically, the risk to human health has been low. More than 60 people in Asia have died of avian influenza since 1997, and the World Health Organization is concerned that the virus could change so it could spread from one person to another. To this point only people who have come into contact with sick birds or contaminated materials have fallen ill from avian influenza.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture requires that all imported birds be tested for the virus before entering the country. Since early last year, birds from countries where the high-pathology version of avian influenza has been confirmed have been banned entirely.
The Kentucky Department of Agriculture urges all poultry farmers to report avian influenza symptoms in their flocks to their veterinarian and the KDA. Signs include sneezing, coughing, swelling, discoloration, lack of energy and appetite, diarrhea and problems with egg production. In some cases the only sign of disease is sudden death.
The KDA suggests that farmers control who comes on the farm. Employees should be disinfected and provided clean clothing before and after working among birds. Backyard flocks are especially at risk of contact with the migratory birds that spread the virus, and farmers are advised to keep their flocks away from wild birds and water that may have been contaminated by wild birds.
For more information, go to the USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Web site at www.aphis.usda.gov.
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