# 2975
This appears to be a low-pathogenic H7 strain, which is generally thought to to pose little danger to public health.
H7 avian viruses have been known to infect humans, although usually the symptoms are mild. One death, that of a veterinarian in 2003, was attributed to an H7 outbreak in the Netherlands.
Culling will be conducted and surveillance of farms within a 2-mile radius of the affected farm is underway.
H7 and H5 avian viruses, even low-pathogenic strains, are reportable animal diseases and are of concern because they have at least the potential to develop into highly pathogenic strains.
Bird Flu Found On Western KY Poultry Farm
Posted: April 4, 2009 02:41 PM
FRANKFORT, KY - State and federal authorities are investigating a finding of suspected non-pathogenic or low-pathogenic avian influenza in a single broiler/breeder poultry farm in western Kentucky. The strain poses minimal risk to human health and is not the high-pathogenic strain associated with human and poultry deaths in other countries.
State Veterinarian Robert C. Stout has quarantined the farm, which produces hatching eggs for Perdue Farms Inc. Perdue plans to depopulate 20,000 chickens in two houses on the farm.
"The state and federal government and Perdue are acting aggressively to contain and eliminate the disease," Dr. Stout said. "There is no evidence that any infected poultry are in the human food supply as a result of this infection. We will do what is necessary to minimize the disruption to overseas trade."
"I have been in constant contact with state, federal and industry officials since this came to light," Agriculture Commissioner Richie Farmer said. "The people of Kentucky and our trading partners should rest assured that we are doing everything possible to address the situation."
The Kentucky Department of Agriculture is conducting surveillance on backyard flocks within a two-mile radius of the farm.
