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Tracking the next pandemic: Avian Flu Talk

PA Ag Department closes Philly market
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abbie View Drop Down
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    Posted: July 12 2006 at 3:26pm
    PA Ag Department closes Philly live bird market after bird-flu strain found
Jul. 12, 2006

HARRISBURG, Pa -- As a routine precaution, the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture temporarily closed a live bird market in Philadelphia today after birds tested positive for a strain of avian influenza.

"Mild strains of avian influenza are very common in poultry, and we have no reason to think this strain is any different," said Agriculture Secretary Dennis Wolff. "If cooked properly, meat and eggs are safe to eat and consumers can continue to be confident that Pennsylvania poultry products are the safest in the world."

Mild cases of avian influenza are routinely discovered in Pennsylvania and surrounding states. The virus for this particular bird market was discovered during a routine surveillance and does not cause bird or human illness.

"We have the measures in place to detect avian influenza quickly, and this occurrence shows that our procedures are working," Wolff said. "As soon as the department was made aware of the positive test, state and federal veterinarians were sent to the site to close the market, dispose of the birds and clean the facility according to state protocols."

The Department of Agriculture will investigate all distribution channels of the birds as they traveled to and from the market, to ensure isolation of all sources of the virus.

Pennsylvania leads the nation in avian influenza surveillance, testing more than 240,000 samples each year. If a bird tests positive for avian influenza, the flock is immediately quarantined.

For more information on avian influenza, visit the Department's Web site and click on "avian influenza."

SOURCE: Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture via PR Newswire.
http://www.agprofessional.com/show_story.php?id=41
    
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Lets hope that they will not cover up the results...
 
Actions speak louder than words... lets hope we do not have a repeat of New Jersey's or Canada's testing procedures.
 
 
AVIAN INFLUENZA STATEMENT
press conference


For Immediate Release: May 4, 2006

Contact: Jeff Beach (609) 292-5531 or Lynne Richmond (609) 610-3526

New Jersey Secretary of Agriculture Charles M. Kuperus today issued the following statement regarding final USDA test results on Avian Influenza detected during routine testing at a Camden County live bird market on April 21 and 24:

Routine testing in New Jersey's live bird market system on April 21 and 24 turned up a strain of Avian Influenza (AI) that appeared to be low pathogenic and could not harm humans.  Further tests on the samples from the Camden County live bird market showed the detected virus posed no risk to humans. In fact, the tests indicated the virus was dead and could not have harmed humans or birds. 

The initial finding was not an uncommon occurrence, since various strains of AI harmful only to birds are sometimes detected during routine testing.   Recent negative results from the more detailed “virus isolation” test, conducted at the Ames, Iowa, USDA laboratory, indicate that initial results from one lot of chickens and one lot of ducks detected dead virus that could not have harmed humans or birds.

Results are still being awaited from a third sample taken from a second lot of ducks.  That sample was sent to Ames at a later date, but to this point, no viral growth has occurred from that sample either.

The results of both the screening and virus isolation tests show the value of the testing protocol. The screening test is sensitive enough to detect even weak or dead virus. The confirmatory tests at Ames are designed to determine whether those screening tests have detected anything that should be of a concern to humans. The Department will continue working with its state partners and USDA to be vigilant in detecting AI in order to ensure the safety of the food system.

The market owner voluntarily depopulated his existing flock. After he cleaned and disinfected the market, it was inspected again by the New Jersey Department of Agriculture’s Division of Animal Health and allowed to repopulate and reopen.

Again, the Department reminds consumers that poultry products remain safe to eat, even where forms of the virus are detected. Proper handling and thorough cooking (between 165 and 180 degrees) renders the AI virus harmless.

 
Nature
Published online: 10 May 2006; Corrected online: 11 May 2006 | doi:10.1038/441139a
State's flu response raises concern

Official alerts play down possible H5 strain found in New Jersey.
Jacqueline Ruttimann
 
Just hours earlier, crowds had thronged past rows of squawking chickens, ducks and geese at a live-bird market in Camden County, New Jersey. But late last month, inspectors shut down the bustling market, ordering its complete disinfection after discovering an H5 avian influenza virus.
In the end, the virus turned out to be a strain that was not very harmful, but the event sheds light on what might happen if H5N1 is detected in the United States.
 
The country has weathered three major outbreaks of highly pathogenic bird flu before (see 'Past US outbreaks'). 'Low-pathogenic' bird flu, which kills few infected birds, occurs far more regularly. In the latest case, New Jersey's agriculture department made a public announcement about the discovery of an avian-flu strain — but it left out salient details.
The announcement on 28 April did not mention when or specifically where the infection was detected, saying only that preliminary tests had marked it as negative for the neuraminidase protein N1. The statement did not mention the haemagglutinin protein; Nature learned later that the state had a faint positive for H5, which can occur in both high- and low-pathogenic strains. The first samples were tested on 21 April.
Discovery of avian flu led to the closure of a New Jersey live-poultry market.
 
AP PHOTO/J. SZYMASZEK
Later confirmatory tests by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) laboratory in Ames, Iowa, failed because technicians there could not grow the virus. In the meantime, other birds in the market had been killed and disposed of. The market was later reopened.
 
If a low-pathogenic strain of bird flu is discovered, then individual states, not the federal government, are responsible for alerting the public — and officials say this all went as planned. "The timeline was exactly as it should be," claims Andrea Morgan, veterinary administrator for the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. "The response that New Jersey launched was appropriate."
 
But it was misleading, critics argue. Jody Lanard, a risk-communication specialist based in Princeton, New Jersey, has worked as a senior adviser in pandemic influenza communication to the World Health Organization. She notes that the state's two press releases omitted the fact that the strain was H5, focusing instead on the fact that it was not N1.
 
Jhetta Note: the virus was never typed... so we will never know if it was N1
 
 
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We can hope. I will try to keep an eye on this story.
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PRAYING......To close to home once again.
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You know what confuses me?  Did we in the past go in and do this?
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"The virus for this particular bird market was discovered during a routine surveillance and does not cause bird or human illness."


If they know that it doesn't cuase bird or human illness, they must know the strain. Why don't they just release the info?
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I was wondering the same thing.
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They are talking in circles, as always.  I think government officials have to take a course in obfuscation before they can be appointed to their positions.

In Canada, they announced that their H5 was not dangerous to humans, yet, they did not know what N it was.

Same here.  "Not dangerous to birds or humans" but they won't say what it is.  That is simply crazy, but they do it all the time.
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Jhetta Note: the virus was never typed... so we will never know if it was N1



Jhetta,

I'm gonna err on the side of safety, and venture a guess that...

It wasn't typed so they wouldn't have to report if it was H1
OR
It was typed and they aren't going to tell the public to prevent chaos & panic, for our own good..of course!

I'm all out of trust for those who are responsible for "Our best interests"!

"IN THE BEGINNING OF A CHANGE THE PATRIOT IS A SCARCE MAN, and brave, and hated and scorned. When his cause succeeds, the timid join him, For then it costs nothing to be a patriot. Mark Twain, 1904
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And, of course, today they conveniently release this info after office hours  so that  when you reach their press office you get voice mail. very cute
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Jhetta,
 
"Lets hope that they will not cover up the results... "
 
~~~~
 
Bet it's the same tho. 
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If it is a flu strain carried by a host of birds with out it being a hazard to birds or humans  and is no risk, why worry.


why are the Red Cross and Who beginning to talk dates?

A Bible verse that is just perfect...... for the situation.
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Gimme and bellabecky I hear you!
 
 
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    didnt they say the canadian samples would not test? that they could not culture....but here it says they can test for the dead virus....yea joe big time double talk
The only thing we have to fear, is fear itself......FDR
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Guests Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July 13 2006 at 5:34am
why shut down the market if it doesn't cause bird or human illness
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if it's not a big deal, why send a sample to ames
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it was a dead virus? never heard that one before
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To see if something is really happening, start checking the stats with the PA hospitals, and look for flu symptoms.  Remember two things, one thing-you can't un-ring a bell, and also look at the economic impact.  Closing the market does look a little strange.
TCharley 300
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< id=detail_content name=detail_content =content.asp method=get>
Today    7/13/2006 8:17:00 AM

Philadelphia Bird Market Closed After Positive Bird Flu Tests

 

A live bird market in Philadelphia was temporarily closed Wednesday after birds there tested positive for a type of avian influenza, the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture said in a press release.

  

Stephanie Meyers, press secretary for the state agriculture department, told Dow Jones Newswires the signs point to a mild, or low-pathogenic, strain of avian influenza.

 

There have been no bird deaths and no birds are sick, she said.

 

The discovery of the avian influenza, commonly known as bird flu, was the result of routine surveillance, the release said.

 

"Mild strains of avian influenza are very common in poultry, and we have no reason to think this strain is any different," Agriculture Secretary Dennis Wolff in the release.

 

Meyers said while the exact strain of avian influenza isn't known yet, the department has sent samples to be tested and expects to have the results in three to five days.

 

The closure of the bird market was simply a routine precaution, the department said.

 

"We have the measures in place to detect avian influenza quickly, and this occurrence shows that our procedures are working," Wolff said. "As soon as the department was made aware of the positive test, state and federal veterinarians were sent to the site to close the market, dispose of the birds and clean the facility according to state protocols."

 

The department is investigating the distribution channels to and from the market to ensure isolation of all sources of the virus, the release said.

 

Source: Angie Pointer; Dow Jones Newswires; 312-750-4075; angie.pointer@dowjones.com

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AMES, Iowa ~ Agriculture Department prepares for bird flu testing
http://www.avianflutalk.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=8647&PN=1

AMES, Iowa (AP) - The government's elaborate network for diagnosing bird flu will eventually come down to a sprawling 640-acre campus in the Iowa countryside where strict security is the only hint of the crucial role scientists there could play in a national drama that the country hopes will never materialize.

The security and the elaborate protective clothing the Agriculture Department scientists wear - scrubs, coveralls, rubber boots, protective glasses, hairnets and gloves - looks like a made-for-TV disaster movie....."

"Samples will be shipped to a network of laboratories across the country for screening. If a sample contains evidence of the H5 virus, it then gets shipped to Ames, where tests are run over several days to determine if the infected bird carried the H5N1 strain.

First, virus from the sample is injected in bird eggs, which are tested five days later to determine whether it is one of 144 strains of bird flu or whether it is another disease such as Exotic Newcastle, which is harmless to humans but deadly to poultry.

If it contains bird flu, the sample is tested to determine whether it is H5N1 or another of the avian influenzas. Only those testing positive for H5N1 go to the lab with the caged chickens.

Eight of these birds, specially bred and disease-free, are injected with virus from the suspect sample. Perhaps within hours, certainly in two days, the birds will begin moving more slowly, perhaps hunching in the corner of the cage and no longer eating and drinking. Their wattles might turn from bright orange to blue.

"If you lose 75 percent of the chickens, or more, then it's high-path," said Brundaben Panigrahy, head of the lab's avian section, using scientists' shorthand for the lethal strain of Asian bird flu.

Although the test results will be announced publicly, likely by officials in Washington, Granger said this will not be a signal of a threat to humans."
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Americas food inspection system is similar to Canada's... I cant find the doc outlining this right now!
 
"Which subtypes are routinely tested for ?

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has the capability to test for all sixteen subtypes of avian influenza.

In the case of an epizootic (animal epidemic), the focus of testing would become the H5 and the H7 and their subtypes, which have caused disease in domestic birds in the past and which have historically been known to change from low to high pathogenic."
 

Canadian Food Inspection Agency

Avian Influenza - Virus Subtypes

What is avian influenza?

Avian influenza (AI) is a contagious viral infection caused by the influenza virus Type "A", which can affect several species of food producing birds (chickens, turkeys, quails, guinea fowl, etc.), as well as pet birds and wild birds. All subtypes of influenza A viruses are naturally hosted by wild waterfowl.

What’s the difference between low and high pathogenicity?

Avian influenza viruses can be classified into two categories: low pathogenic (LPAI) and high pathogenic (HPAI) forms based on the severity of the illness caused in domestic birds. The first causes mild illness, including ruffled feathers or reduced egg production. The second form, known as "high pathogenic avian influenza" is of greater concern. This form is extremely contagious in birds and rapidly fatal.

How many variations of the virus exist?

Influenza A viruses can be divided into subtypes based on two proteins on the surface of the virus - hemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA). There are 16 known HA subtypes (H1-H16) and nine NA subtypes (N1-N9). Any number of combinations are possible, as each virus has one HA and one NA antigen.

Are all avian influenza viruses the same?

Most avian influenza viruses are low pathogenic and typically result in little or no clinical signs in infected birds.

Only the H5 and H7 subtypes are of concern in domestic birds. Over the past 30 years only the H5 and H7 subtypes have been known to mutate into high pathogenic forms, therefore affecting birds at a higher rate.
 
All other subtypes (H1 through H4, H6 and H8 through H16) may cause disease and death in domestic birds. However, the illness spreads at a much slower rate than H5 and H7. Depopulation of birds infected with the H5 or H7 virus contributes significantly to reducing the amount of virus in the environment, therefore preventing the spread of the virus.

How many variations have been associated with illness in humans?

Some variations of the H5, H7 and H9 subtypes have also been associated with illness and disease in humans. Specifically H5N1 (most recently in Asia), H7N7 (previously in the Netherlands) and H9N2 (previously in Southern China and Hong Kong) have been known to cause illness in people.

For more information, visit the Public Health Agency of Canada Web site at: http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/influenza/avian_e.html

Which subtypes are routinely tested for?

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has the capability to test for all sixteen subtypes of avian influenza.

In the case of an epizootic (animal epidemic), the focus of testing would become the H5 and the H7 and their subtypes, which have caused disease in domestic birds in the past and which have historically been known to change from low to high pathogenic.

Is there historical data in existence to which we can compare these new survey results?

A number of scientific studies, carried out by American scientists, have been published over the last 30 years. These studies were much narrower in scope than Canada’s wildlife survey. They focussed on two migratory pathways and had only limited sampling in Canada.

The survey undertaken by the Canadian Cooperative Wildlife Health Centre is broader in scope and more comprehensive in nature thereby providing the information necessary to provide a consistent and national benchmark for Avian Influenza in wild birds.

The table below demonstrates that the findings in Quebec at 7 % and in Manitoba at 4 % are both within the literature reported range of 0 to 7.4 %.

North American Findings of Avian Influenza in Wild Birds in the Last 30 Years

The following table outlines the occurrence of Avian Influenza virus subtypes in wild birds that have tested positive for AI.

Most Common Isolates H5 Isolates H7 Isolates H9 Isolates
H3 (32 - 44%)
H4 (5.8 - 28.5%)
H6 (3.3 - 16%)		 0 - 7.4%
N types 2, 3, 4, 8, 9
( no N 1 detected )		 1.0 - 4.2%
N types 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 9
0.3 - 7.6%
N types 1-9

 
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12 Jul 2006 21:40 GMT *DJ Philadelphia Birds Test Positive For Avian Flu Strain

Copyright © 2006, Dow Jones Newswires

(MORE TO FOLLOW) Dow Jones Newswires

July 12, 2006 17:40 ET (21:40 GMT)

Copyright (c) 2006 Dow Jones & Company, Inc.

12 Jul 2006 21:40 GMT *DJ Pa. Agriculture Dept Closes Live Bird Market In Phila.
 
 
Anyone have a subscription to this news source????  This is not good.
 
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I registered with them earlier but haven't gotten a reply.
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Sand... they would have had a positive test result to have culled the poultry and shut down the market.
 
It is likely H5 or H7 and could be either high or low path H5.
 
This link has more info regarding Triggers for closure @ Live Markets.
 
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OK guys, I must be really tired!  I posted this darn article myself at 8:00 this morningEmbarrassed  See it below or disregard...I'm done for today.  I think it might be 'Miller Time'Wink
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Jhetta Help pleas

I tried to google the bird market in Philly closing and Pharmlive came up with the beginning of an article that says a bird market was closed in June for 24 days. Do you know about this? Any ideas to find out more on this without me paying 4.95 to subscribe for 24 hours?
Thanks,
Abbie
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Here you go....

Thursday, July 13, 2006

Philadelphia Bird Market Closed After Positive Bird Flu Tests

A live bird market in Philadelphia was temporarily closed Wednesday after birds there tested positive for a type of avian influenza, the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture said in a press release.


Stephanie Meyers, press secretary for the state agriculture department, told Dow Jones Newswires the signs point to a mild, or low-pathogenic, strain of avian influenza.

There have been no bird deaths and no birds are sick, she said.

The discovery of the avian influenza, commonly known as bird flu, was the result of routine surveillance, the release said.

"Mild strains of avian influenza are very common in poultry, and we have no reason to think this strain is any different," Agriculture Secretary Dennis Wolff in the release.

Meyers said while the exact strain of avian influenza isn't known yet, the department has sent samples to be tested and expects to have the results in three to five days.

The closure of the bird market was simply a routine precaution, the department said.

"We have the measures in place to detect avian influenza quickly, and this occurrence shows that our procedures are working," Wolff said.
 
"As soon as the department was made aware of the positive test, state and federal veterinarians were sent to the site to close the market, dispose of the birds and clean the facility according to state protocols."
 
Note from Jhetta See triggers here: H5N1 Testing & Triggers For Culling & Quarantine


The department is investigating the distribution channels to and from the market to ensure isolation of all sources of the virus, the release said.

Source: Angie Pointer; Dow Jones Newswires; 312-750-4075; angie.pointer@dowjones.com
 
 
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You know what I was thinking?  Names changed okay?  Mr. Jones makes his living at the live market in Philly.  I bet he said something like this...."Sure go ahead and close the market, kill my birds and prevent me from making a living for a while.  I won't mind."  Seems these people would be screaming bloody murder to me and not one peep from any of them.  So....maybe it is high path and they are glad someone cought it and closed the market, killed their birds and ...... well
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We live in northeastern PA and there hasn't been a word of this in the two nespapers that I watch.


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See?  You know bloody well someone got the short end of the stick here and I am betting it was the vendors. Not a peep though.  But, I guess there silence is sort of understandable given that you don't want people to know you had it at all when you start selling at the wet market again.  Still......
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Thank you for getting this posted. Appreciate this and all the info you provide here.
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Originally posted by abbie abbie wrote:

Thank you for getting this posted. Appreciate this and all the info you provide here.
 
No problem Abbie
 
 

 
USDA Meat & Poultry Hotline
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    		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Guests Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July 14 2006 at 4:43pm
    I think if you remove all the surrounding commentary and focus on the statement

    Philadelphia Bird Market Closed After Positive Bird Flu Tests

    doesn't that plainly state we now how low virulence bird flu present in the U.S. Honestly, you can downplay this to the hilt, say its common in the bird population, but if I am not mistaken, this is a significant turning point. It is in North America, and its in the United States.

    Meyers said while the exact strain of avian influenza isn't known yet, the department has sent samples to be tested and expects to have the results in three to five days.

    Of course, if there is any form of Avian in the U.S. which could mutate into another form and it is found in a market, it is here?

    What am I missing here? Why is this not extremely signficant and why is it being downplayed so much.





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    		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Guests Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July 14 2006 at 5:10pm
    They say that we have low path avian influenza in open markets fairly often - sometimes in commercial flocks too.

    Supposedly they don't know which virus was in the market yet. I find it hard to believe that they can't get a rapid test to find out what strain it is though.






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    Jhetta View Drop Down
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    Points: 1272     		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Jhetta Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July 14 2006 at 6:55pm

    Here are a few that have been sequenced... in the US, Mexico and I included just a few for Canada...note only those that have been sequenced are included.

    Note they are culling for H5 and H7 even if they are low path because they can become high path!

    Strain Year Serotype
    A/Mallard/Wisconsin/169/75 1975 H5 
    A/Mallard/Wisconsin/944/82 1982 H5 
    A/Mallard/Ohio/86 1986 H5 
    A/Mallard/Ohio/556/87 1987 H5 
    A/Emu/Texas/39924/93 1993 H5 
    A/Chicken/Hidalgo/26654-1368/94 1994 H5 
    A/Chicken/Mexico/31381-1/94 1994 H5 
    A/Chicken/Mexico/31381-7/94 1994 H5 
    A/Chicken/Queretaro/14588-19/95 1995 H5 
    A/Mallard/Wisconsin/428/75 1975 H5N1 
    A/Gull/Pennsylvania/4175/83 1983 H5N1 
    A/turkey/Colorado/72 1972 H5N2 
    A/mallard duck/Alberta/57/1976 1976 H5N2 
    A/duck/Hong Kong/342/78 1978 H5N2 
    A/duck/Michigan/80 1980 H5N2 
    A/mallard duck/Alberta/645/1980 1980 H5N2 
    A/mallard duck/Alberta/645/1980 1980 H5N2 
    A/mallard/Alberta/645/80 1980 H5N2 
    A/mallard/MI/18/80 1980 H5N2 
    A/mallard/MN/25/80 1980 H5N2 
    A/duck/MN/1516/1981 1981 H5N2 
    A/duck/MN/1564/81 1981 H5N2 
    A/Turkey/Minnesota/3689-1551/81 1981 H5N2 
    A/turkey/TX/14082/81 1981 H5N2 
    A/mallard/NY/189/82 1982 H5N2 
    A/turkey/MN/1704/82 1982 H5N2 
    A/Chicken/Pennsylvania/1/83 1983 H5N2 
    A/chicken/Pennsylvania/8125/83 1983 H5N2 
    A/Turkey/Virginia/6962/83 1983 H5N2 
    A/Chicken/Virginia/40018/84 1984 H5N2 
    A/Chicken/Washington/13413/84 1984 H5N2 
    A/duck/Pennsylvania/84 1984 H5N2 
    A/Mallard Duck/Pensylvania/10218/84 1984 H5N2 
    A/Turkey/Virginia/40018/84 1984 H5N2 
    A/Chicken/Florida/27716-2/86 1986 H5N2 
    A/Chicken/Massachusetts/11801/86 1986 H5N2 
    A/Chicken/New Jersey/12508/86 1986 H5N2 
    A/Chicken/Ohio/22911-10/86 1986 H5N2 
    A/Chicken/Pennsylvania/10210/86 1986 H5N2 
    A/Quail/Oregon/20719/86 1986 H5N2 
    A/Chicken/New York/12004-3/87 1987 H5N2 
    A/Chicken/Florida/22780-2/88 1988 H5N2 
    A/Mallard/Ohio/345/88 1988 H5N2 
    A/Chicken/Florida/2507/89 1989 H5N2 
    A/ruddy turnstone/Delaware/244/91 1991 H5N2 
    A/Chicken/Pennsylvania/13609/93 1993 H5N2 
    A/Emu/Texas/39442/93 (HP progeny) 1993 H5N2 
    A/Emu/Texas/39442/93 (non-HP parent) 1993 H5N2 
    A/Emu/Texas/39924/93 1993 H5N2 
    A/chicken/Hidalgo/232/94 1994 H5N2 
    A/Chicken/Hidalgo/26654-1368/94 1994 H5N2 
    A/chicken/Hidalgo/28159-232/1994 1994 H5N2 
    A/Chicken/Jalisco/14585-660/94 1994 H5N2 
    A/Chicken/Mexico/26654-1374/94 1994 H5N2 
    A/Chicken/Mexico/31381-2/94 1994 H5N2 
    A/Chicken/Mexico/31382-1/94 1994 H5N2 
    A/Chicken/Puebla/14585-622/94 1994 H5N2 
    A/Chicken/Puebla/14586-654/94 1994 H5N2 
    A/chicken/Puebla/8623-607/94 1994 H5N2 
    A/Chicken/Puebla/8623-607/94 1994 H5N2 
    A/Chicken/Puebla/8624-604/94 1994 H5N2 
    A/Chicken/Queretaro/14588-19/94 1994 H5N2 
    A/Chicken/Queretaro/26654-1373/94 1994 H5N2 
    A/chicken/Guanajuato/28159-331/95 1995 H5N2 
    A/chicken/Hidalgo/28159-460/95 1995 H5N2 
    A/chicken/Jalisco/28159-600/95 1995 H5N2 
    A/chicken/Mexico/28159-541/95 1995 H5N2 
    A/chicken/Morelos/28159-538/95 1995 H5N2 
    A/chicken/Puebla/28159-474/95 1995 H5N2 
    A/chicken/Queretaro/14588-19/95 1995 H5N2 
    A/Chicken/Queretaro/7653-20/95 1995 H5N2 
    A/Chicken/Queretaro/7653-20/95 1995 H5N2 
    A/chicken/VeraCruz/28159-398/95 1995 H5N2 
    A/Turkey/Minnesota/10734/95 1995 H5N2 
    A/chicken/Mexico/37821-771/96 1996 H5N2 
    A/chicken/Chiapas/15224/97 1997 H5N2 
    A/chicken/Chiapas/15405/97 1997 H5N2 
    A/chicken/Chiapas/15406/97 1997 H5N2 
    A/chicken/Chis/15224/1997 1997 H5N2 
    A/chicken/Mexico/15407/97 1997 H5N2 
    A/Chicken/Mexico/26654-1374/97 1997 H5N2 
    A/chukkar/MN/14591-7/98 1998 H5N2 
    A/chukkar/MN/14951-7/98 1998 H5N2 
    A/mallard/MN/133/98 1998 H5N2 
    A/pheasant/NJ/1355/98 1998 H5N2 
    A/avian/NY/31588-3/00 2000 H5N2 
    A/avian/NY/53726/00 2000 H5N2 
    A/chukkar/NY/51375/00 2000 H5N2 
    A/duck/NY/44018-2/00 2000 H5N2 
    A/duck/NJ/117228-7/01 2001 H5N2 
    A/mallard/AR/1C/2001 2001 H5N2 
    A/duck/ME/151895-7A/02 2002 H5N2 
    A/duck/NY/185502/02 2002 H5N2 
    A/duck/NY/186875/02 2002 H5N2 
    A/duck/NY/191255-79/02 2002 H5N2 
    A/turkey/CA/D0208651-C/02 2002 H5N2 
    A/turkey/CA/D0208652-C/02 2002 H5N2 
    A/chicken/TX/298313/04 2004 H5N2 
    A/parrot/CA/6032/04 2004 H5N2 
    A/Mallard/Wisconsin/169/75 1975 H5N3 
    A/Mallard/Wisconsin/169/75 1975 H5N3 
    A/goose/Hong Kong/23/1978 1978 H5N3 
    A/turkey/CA/6878/79 1979 H5N3 
    A/herring gull/New Jersey/402/1989 1989 H5N3 
    A/herring gull/New Jersey/406/1989 1989 H5N3 
    A/ruddy turnstone/NJ/2242/00 2000 H5N3 
    A/chicken/TX/167280-4/02 2002 H5N3 
    A/gull/Delaware/4/2000 2000 H5N4 
    A/gull/Delaware/5/2000 2000 H5N4 
    A/shorebird/Delaware/109/2000 2000 H5N4 
    A/shorebird/Delaware/230/2000 2000 H5N4 
    A/shorebird/Delaware/243/2000 2000 H5N4 
    A/Mallard/Wisconsin/34/75 1975 H5N6 
    A/Mallard/Wisconsin/34/75 1975 H5N6 
    A/duck/Potsdam/2216-4/1984 1984 H5N6 
    A/shorebird/Delaware/101/2004 2004 H5N7 
    A/shorebird/Delaware/75/2004 2004 H5N7 
    A/herring gull/Delaware/281/98 1998 H5N8 
    A/shorebird/Delaware/207/98 1998 H5N8 
    A/shorebird/Delaware/27/98 1998 H5N8 
    A/duck/NY/191255-59/02 2002 H5N8 
    A/Turkey/Ontario/7732/66 1966 H5N9 
    A/Turkey/Ontario/7732/66 1966 H5N9 
    A/turkey/Wisconsin/68 1968 H5N9 
    A/Mallard/Ohio/556/1987 1987 H5N9 
    A/Turkey/Oregon/71 1971 H7 
    A/magpie-robin/China/28710/93 1993 H7 
    A/chicken/Jalisco/1994 1994 H7 
    A/chicken/New York/1995 1995 H7 
    A/duck/Mongolia/736/02-duck/Hokkaido/49/98 1998 H7 
    A/rhea/North Carolina/39482/93 1993 H7N1 
    A/Shorebird/Delaware/39/95 1995 H7N1 
    A/gull/Delaware/2838/87 1987 H7N2 
    A/laughing gull/Delaware/2838/87 1987 H7N2 
    A/gull/Italy/692-2/93 1993 H7N2 
    A/Chicken/New York/13142-5/94 1994 H7N2 
    A/Chicken/New York/4447-7/94 1994 H7N2 
    A/Chicken/NY/13142-5/94 1994 H7N2 
    A/Chicken/NY/4447-7/94 1994 H7N2 
    A/Turkey/New York/4450-5/94 1994 H7N2 
    A/Chicken/New York/13833-7/95 1995 H7N2 
    A/Chicken/New York/13833-7/95 1995 H7N2 
    A/Chicken/New York/13833-7/95 1995 H7N2 
    A/Chicken/New York/19542-5/95 1995 H7N2 
    A/Chicken/New York/3112-1/95 1995 H7N2 
    A/Chicken/NY/19542/95 1995 H7N2 
    A/Chicken/NY/3112-1/95 1995 H7N2 
    A/Chicken/Rhode Island/4328/95 1995 H7N2 
    A/Guinea Fowl/New York/13820-3/95 1995 H7N2 
    A/Chicken/New York/3202-7/96 1996 H7N2 
    A/Chicken/New York/8030-2/96 1996 H7N2 
    A/Chicken/NY/13202-7/96 1996 H7N2 
    A/Guinea Fowl/Pennsylvania/7777-1/96 1996 H7N2 
    A/Chicken/New York/6777-3/97 1997 H7N2 
    A/Chicken/NY/6777-3/97 1997 H7N2 
    A/Chicken/PA/9701027/97 1997 H7N2 
    A/Chicken/PA/9701027B/97 1997 H7N2 
    A/Chicken/PA/9701524/97 1997 H7N2 
    A/Chicken/PA/9701530/97 1997 H7N2 
    A/Chicken/Pennsylvania/11767-1/97 1997 H7N2 
    A/Chicken/Pennsylvania/11767-1/97 1997 H7N2 
    A/Chicken/Pennsylvania/11767-1/97 1997 H7N2 
    A/GuineaFowl/NY/13820-3/97 1997 H7N2 
    A/Quail/PA/20304/97 1997 H7N2 
    A/Turkey/PA/7975/97 1997 H7N2 
    A/Turkey/Pennsylvania/7975/97 1997 H7N2 
    A/Chicken/NJ/9777-7/98 1998 H7N2 
    A/Chicken/NY/1387-8/98 1998 H7N2 
    A/Chicken/NY/21665-73/98 1998 H7N2 
    A/Chicken/NY/3572/98 1998 H7N2 
    A/Chicken/NY/6013-19/98 1998 H7N2 
    A/Chicken/NY/6031-19/98 1998 H7N2 
    A/Chicken/PA/13552-1/98 1998 H7N2 
    A/Chicken/PA/9801289/98 1998 H7N2 
    A/Chicken/Pennsylvania/13552-1/98 1998 H7N2 
    A/GiuineaFowl/NJ/13246-9/98 1998 H7N2 
    A/Goose/New Jersey/8600-3/98 1998 H7N2 
    A/Goose/NJ/8600-3/98 1998 H7N2 
    A/GuineaFowl/NJ/13246-9/98 1998 H7N2 
    A/Quail/New York/13989-51/98 1998 H7N2 
    A/Quail/NY/13989/98 1998 H7N2 
    A/Quail/PA/20304/98 1998 H7N2 
    A/Turkey/NJ/9778-8/98 1998 H7N2 
    A/Chicken/New Jersey/20621/99 1999 H7N2 
    A/Chicken/New York/34173-3/99 1999 H7N2 
    A/Chicken/NJ/15814-9/99 1999 H7N2 
    A/Chicken/NJ/15827/99 1999 H7N2 
    A/Chicken/NJ/16224-6/99 1999 H7N2 
    A/Chicken/NJ/17206/99 1999 H7N2 
    A/Chicken/NJ/20621/99 1999 H7N2 
    A/Chicken/NY/1398-6/99 1999 H7N2 
    A/Chicken/NY/14714-2/99 1999 H7N2 
    A/Chicken/NY/14858-12/99 1999 H7N2 
    A/Chicken/NY/21586-8/99 1999 H7N2 
    A/Chicken/NY/22409-4/99 1999 H7N2 
    A/Chicken/NY/34173-3/99 1999 H7N2 
    A/Quail/NY/11430/99 1999 H7N2 
    A/ruddy turnstone/Delaware/130/99 1999 H7N2 
    A/Avian/NY/70411-12/00 2000 H7N2 
    A/Avian/NY/73063-6/00 2000 H7N2 
    A/Avian/NY/74211-2/00 2000 H7N2 
    A/Avian/NY/76247-3/00 2000 H7N2 
    A/Avian/NY/7729-6/00 2000 H7N2 
    A/Avian/NY/81746-5/00 2000 H7N2 
    A/Chicken/New Jersey/30739-6/00 2000 H7N2 
    A/Chicken/NJ/30739-6/00 2000 H7N2 
    A/Chicken/NY/30749-3/00 2000 H7N2 
    A/pheasant/NJ/30739-9/2000 2000 H7N2 
    A/Avian/NY/118353-1/01 2001 H7N2 
    A/Chicken/FL/90348-4/01 2001 H7N2 
    A/Chicken/NJ/118555-2/01 2001 H7N2 
    A/Chicken/NY/119055-7/01 2001 H7N2 
    A/Chicken/PA/143586/01 2001 H7N2 
    A/unknown/NY/74211-5/2001 2001 H7N2 
    A/Chicken/NJ/150383-7/02 2002 H7N2 
    A/Chicken/NJ/151244-18/02 2002 H7N2 
    A/Chicken/NJ/608/02 2002 H7N2 
    A/chicken/PA/143586/2002 2002 H7N2 
    A/Chicken/PA/149092-1/02 2002 H7N2 
    A/Chicken/VA/32/02 2002 H7N2 
    A/GuineaFowl/MA/148081/02 2002 H7N2 
    A/Turkey/NC/11165/02 2002 H7N2 
    A/Turkey/VA/158512/02 2002 H7N2 
    A/Turkey/VA/67/02 2002 H7N2 
    A/chicken/MD/MINH MA/03 2003 H7N2 
    A/Turkey/Oregon/71 1971 H7N3
    A/pheasant/MN/917/1980 1980 H7N3
    A/Turkey/Oregon/71 1971 H7N3 
    A/turkey/TX/1/79 1979 H7N3 
    A/pheasant/MN/917/1980 1980 H7N3 
    A/turkey/Minnesota/1237/80 1980 H7N3 
    A/turkey/Minnesota/916/80 1980 H7N3 
    A/turkey/MN/1200/80 1980 H7N3 
    A/mallard/Alberta/699/81 1981 H7N3 
    A/Chicken/Pennsylvania/21525/83 1983 H7N3 
    A/gadwall/MD/3495/83 1983 H7N3 
    A/ruddy turnstone/New Jersey/65/1985 1985 H7N3 
    A/turkey/CO/13356/91 1991 H7N3 
    A/Turkey/Colorado/13356/91 1991 H7N3 
    A/Chicken/New Jersey/15086-3/94 1994 H7N3 
    A/chicken/NJ/15086-3/94 1994 H7N3 
    A/Quail/Arkansas/16309-7/94 1994 H7N3 
    A/chicken/Pakistan/16/99/95 1995 H7N3 
    A/chicken/Pakistan/447/95 1995 H7N3 
    A/chicken/Pakistan/CR2/95 1995 H7N3 
    A/chicken/Queensland/667/95 1995 H7N3 
    A/Turkey/Utah/24721-10/95 1995 H7N3 
    A/mallard/MN/187/98 1998 H7N3 
    A/mallard/MN/190/98 1998 H7N3 
    A/mallard/MN/284/98 1998 H7N3 
    A/mallard/MN/88/98 1998 H7N3 
    A/Chicken/New York/12273-11/99 1999 H7N3 
    A/Chicken/NY/12273-11/99 1999 H7N3 
    A/Chicken/NY/14714-9/99 1999 H7N3 
    A/pintail/MN/423/99 1999 H7N3 
    A/laughing gull/NY/2455/00 2000 H7N3 
    A/blue-winged teal/TX/2/01 2001 H7N3 
    A/Duck/NJ/117228-7/01 2001 H7N3 
    A/Duck/PA/143585/01 2001 H7N3 
    A/Duck/Nanchang/1944/93 1993 H7N4 
    A/chicken/NSW/1/97 1997 H7N4 
    A/blue-winged teal/TX/11/01 2001 H7N4 
    A/blue-winged teal/TX/11/01 2001 H7N4 
    A/ruddy turnstone/Delaware/2770/87 1987 H7N5 
    A/ruddy turnstone/Delaware/2378/1988 1988 H7N7 
    A/chicken/Ireland/1733/89 1989 H7N7 
    A/non-psittacine/England-Q/1985/89 1989 H7N7 
    A/red knot/New Jersey/325/1989 1989 H7N7 
    A/RedKnot/Delaware/259/94 1994 H7N7 
    A/mallard/MN/17/99 1999 H7N7 
    A/ruddy turnstone/Delaware/134/99 1999 H7N7 
    A/Duck/Ohio/421/87 1987 H7N8 
    A/mallard/Alberta/114/1999 1999 H7N9 
    A/ruddy turnstone/DE/1538/00 2000 H7N9 
    A/ruddy turnstone/DE/629/00 2000 H7N9 
    A/ruddy turnstone/DE/629/00 2000 H7N9 
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    		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Guests Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July 14 2006 at 7:56pm

    I don't find this reassuring. 15 to 20!

    Flu test that shut city bird market is called routine

    State officials yesterday closed the Northeast Live Bird Market in Philadelphia after some birds tested positive for a strain of avian influenza. Authorities called it a routine matter that posed little risk to the public.

    The Northeast Live Bird Market was also briefly closed down after a similar positive test late last year, Agriculture Department spokeswoman Stephanie Meyers said. "There was no sickness or death in the birds, so all signs point to the fact that it's another low-path avian influenza detection," Meyers said. "We get about 15 or 20 of these a year."

    Officials said the Northeast Live Bird Market, on Oxford Avenue, is one of five live-bird markets in the city that are closely monitored by the Department of Agriculture. The samples are being tested at a federal agriculture lab in Iowa and results should be available within five days, Meyers said.

    "Mild strains of avian influenza are very common in poultry, and we have no reason to think this strain is any different," Agriculture Secretary Dennis Wolff said in a statement. "If cooked properly, meat and eggs are safe to eat." - AP
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    Cygnet View Drop Down
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    I couldn't post earlier, for some reason.

    I've been a poultry breeder for several years. I can say with a fair degree of confidence that this is routine, normal, and not unexpected. Low path AI is endemic to the US and flares up on the east coast on a fairly regular basis. It doesn't make the news, not because it's a coverup, but because it ISN'T news. It happens all the time. It's only making news now because of H5N1 and heightened awareness.

    It DOES make news in poultry circles, because nobody wants their birds to be diagnosed with AI (I know I'd be heartbroken to lose my birds to AI) and poultry breeders will talk about stuff like this. It's pretty routine for something like this to be discussed about on poultry boards. It happens ALL THE TIME and I've seen many, many, many discussions about local outbreaks.

    Low path AI is NOT UNCOMMON. It's in the environment. There's no getting rid of it, it will always be there, and there will always be little outbreaks like this.

    What's that medical saying about not looking for zebras when the answer's horses? Something to that effect. Basically, a common problem, and likely NOT H5N1.

    If it were H5N1 they'd be doing a lot more than just closing the markets. Might not have made official news yet, but trust me, the poultry hobbyists who are online and savvy about this would have noticed a problem and already be talking about it.

    In a case of low path AI, the government typically will:

    1. Depopulate all birds that have been through market that they can find that are still alive (not eaten) and anything within a certain range.
    2. Close the market
    3. Test the birds belonging to the farmers who were selling there to identify the source(s) of the outbreak.
    4. Track down as many customers as possible & test any live birds THEY have. This may be difficult.
    5. Require the market owner to sanitize the marketplace before it reopens.
    6. Wait awhile before reopening the market to make sure it's under control.
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    Points: 1272     		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Jhetta Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July 14 2006 at 8:39pm
    Cygnet,
     
    I agree with your post... the frustration I have at this point... is that now that AI is high profile... they are not releasing the test results to the public.
     
    We are not getting the test results... even when they are low path!  This creates trust issues with me.
     
    If it is low path H5N2 or H7N3, or H3N2 prove it or tell me it is high path H7 or H5 and show me you are taking care of it... or, or...
     
    The point is they have accurate repeatable tests available to them to detect what ever it is and they can back it up... they are failing to do this so either they are incompetent or they are not being forthright!
     
    Don't tell me nothing or even worse that the initial positive test results for H5 or H7 that triggered follow up tests were wrong without being able to prove they are wrong, or that the sample suddenly became non viable, etc, etc etc.
     
    When you test as much as they do and have facilities and equipment that cost millions of dollars... my dog ate the homework will just not cut it!
     
    We have  heard this excuse twice in the last two months
     
     
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    		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Guests Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July 15 2006 at 1:07pm
    Jhetta_

    PLUS:
    (1) It raises the issue of how testing will work when the H5N1 high-path strain is actually in the country,

    (2) It raises the issue of how we are protected as a Nation from biological events of all types, at least one nasty scenario of which includes the food chain, and

    (3) It illustrates the incapability of the industry to police itself, with or without Government help.   
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    TCharley300 View Drop Down
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    Points: 117     		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote TCharley300 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July 15 2006 at 3:36pm
    Guys, with the market closing this time, I know it's hard to believe, but I think that they are telling the truth for a change.
    TCharley 300
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