Utah Finds H5N8 In Wild Duck

 

# 9571

 

Last week, in Avian Flu Suspected In 2nd Washington State Backyard Flock we looked at concerns expressed by Utah officials that they might soon follow Washington, Oregon and California in the detection of HPAI H5N8 in wild birds, as they share a common migratory bird flyway.

 

Today Utah activated their Avian influenza response plan after tests confirmed this emerging avian influenza in an American Wigeon duck taken by hunters last week in Davis county.  Additional birds are being tested.

 

While H5N8 has now been found in migratory and wild birds across four American states, it has not yet sparked any commercial poultry outbreaks in North America. While considered a serious threat to commercial poultry, has yet to be linked to any human illnesses.

 

A hat tip to Gert van der Hoek on FluTrackers for the link to this Utah Department of Agriculture statement. 

 

Utah Detects Avian Influenza in Waterfowl

The state of Utah has activated a multi-agency response plan following the confirmation of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in a wild bird in Davis County.  The avian influenza virus strain H5N8 was confirmed by the National Veterinary Services Laboratory in Ames, Iowa in an American widgeon duck, on Jan. 9, 2015.   Several other wild birds taken by hunters near the Great Salt Lake in Davis County are also undergoing tests.

There is no immediate public health concern due to the recent detection of the avian influenza virus.

“This discovery of avian influenza in a wild bird is not unexpected, considering that Utah sits in a major migratory bird flight path,” said Dr. Warren Hess, Acting State Veterinarian with the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food.   “The possibility of the disease being transmitted to domestic backyard bird flocks remains high, and we advise bird owners to take extra biosecurity measures to protect their flocks.”

High Pathogenic Avian Influenza was recently found in wild or domestic birds in California, Oregon and Washington. The avian influenza strains involved have not been implicated in any human infection to date. The USDA states that all poultry, poultry products and wild birds are safe to eat as long as they are properly handled and cooked to a temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit .

The virus has not been found in commercial poultry anywhere in the US. Surveillance for avian influenza is ongoing in commercial poultry operations, live bird markets, and in migratory wild bird populations.

The UDAF is advising commercial poultry growers and backyard flock owners to be vigilant with biosecurity measures and surveillance.

“We have not diagnosed avian influenza in Utah’s domestic poultry population, but the presence of the virus in migratory waterfowl poses a potential risk to our backyard poultry,” Dr. Hess says.  “This event underscores the importance of biosecurity for backyard bird owners. We strongly encourage owners to eliminate any contact between their birds and wild birds. We also want them to monitor their flock closely and report sick birds.”

Backyard flock owners and domestic poultry owners can report sick birds to the State Veterinarian’s office at 1-801-538-4910 or by calling the USDA toll free at 1-866-536-7593.  Also, if anyone finds wild bird carcasses that are not near power poles or roads, and that involve five or more carcasses of the following species, please contact the DWR:  Waterfowl, shorebirds, raptors, scavengers such as crows and ravens, as well as quail and turkeys.  Sick and dead wild birds should be reported to a local DWR office or by calling   801 538-4700.

The DWR is advising hunters to take routine precautions when handling game, including wearing latex or rubber gloves when cleaning birds, washing their hands with soapy water after cleaning, cleaning and disinfecting equipment and surfaces that come in contact with wild birds (e.g. washing with soapy water and disinfecting with a 10 percent chlorine bleach solution), and cooking wild birds thoroughly before eating the meat.

Utah’s commercial poultry industry has a robust avian influenza testing program. In addition, the DWR routinely conducts mortality surveillance of wild bird populations. The HPAI virus has not currently been found in commercial poultry anywhere in the United States.

The Utah Department of Agriculture and Food (UDAF) is working closely with the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, and the Utah Health Department, and the US Department of Agriculture’s Animal Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA-APHIS).

Detailed information for backyard bird owners is available here.

USDA website for keeping birds healthy.

The Great Utah ShakeOut

 

# 6287

 

 

Later today (April 17th), Utah will stage their very first ever Great Utah Shakeout drill, where nearly 1 million Utahns will practice the `Drop, Cover and Hold On’ technique across the state.

 

This drill is based on the very successful Great California ShakeOut, which has spawned other drills in the Pacific Northwest and Midwest (see A Whole Lotta Shakeouts Goin' On).

 

The USGS map below shows that most of the United State’s population lives in a seismically active region.

While California has the biggest reputation for earthquakes, the Pacific Northwest, Midwest, Eastern Seaboard, and a number of western states (including Utah) are not immune.

 

BeReadyUtah.gov has produced a 5 minute video showing what the aftermath of a strong quake in Utah would be like.

 

If you are living in Utah, plan to take part in today’s drill.  Knowing what to do during an earthquake can literally save your life.

 

Earthquakes, like Hurricanes, Tornados, Floods, and yes . . . even pandemics . . .  are hazards everyone should be aware of, and prepared to deal with.

 

Everyone needs an appropriate disaster plan, just as everyone should have a good first aid kit, a `bug-out bag’, and sufficient emergency supplies to last a bare minimum of 72 hours.

 

For more on  disaster preparedness, I would invite you to visit Ready.gov or revisit these blogs:

 

When 72 Hours Isn’t Enough

The L. A. County Emergency Survival Guide

An Appropriate Level Of Preparedness

Novel (H3N2v) Flu Detected In Weber County, Utah

 

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We’ve not heard of any human infections with the novel H3N2v swine-origin flu virus since late last year, but today the Weber-Morgan County Health Department in Utah has announced a new case (a h/t to Ironorehopper for tweeting a media report)

 

You will probably recall that in 2011 there were 12 other similar cases reported, across five states (see CDC: Variant Influenza Strains).  All known cases recovered, and most experienced relatively mild symptoms.

 

First the press release, and then I’ll return with some background on this rare, slowly emerging flu strain.

 

 

Press Release
April 11, 2012

WMHD Announces Confirmed Case of Novel Influenza

(Ogden, UT) Weber-Morgan Health Department received confirmation from the Centers for Disease Control and the Utah Department of Health that a Weber County resident has tested positive for a novel flu virus that has been identified in several isolated cases in the United States.

 

The individual was not hospitalized and recovered at home. As a precaution, all known contacts have been advised to watch for fever, cough and other flu-like symptoms and to contact their physician if necessary.

 

While considered novel, the virus, A/H3N2v, is genetically similar to those which circulate in pigs. It is common practice for the CDC to monitor diseases that are capable of transmitting from animals to humans, says Gary House, director of the Weber-Morgan Health Department.

 

Fortunately, this individual is getting better, House says. We know there have been 12 other cases with in the past year in the United States that have also fully recovered. We are working with the CDC, the Utah Department of Health and Utah Department of Agriculture and Food to determine how the individual was exposed to this particular flu virus.

 
As with all other flu viruses, House reminds the community to take preventive measures such as covering coughs and sneezes, staying at home while ill and washing hands frequently.

 

'We learned from the H1N1 experience of 2009 that the public’s willingness to follow these simple precautions is the best line of defense.' House says.

From the CDC’s website, a little background:

Key Facts about Human Infections with Variant Viruses (Swine Origin Influenza Viruses in Humans)

Questions & Answers

What is a variant influenza virus?

When an influenza virus that normally circulates in swine (but not people) is detected in a person, it is called a “variant influenza virus.” For example, if a swine origin influenza A H3N2 virus is detected in a person, that virus will be called an “H3N2 variant” virus or “H3N2v” virus. This naming convention was first announced in a January 6, 2012 Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report entitled Update: Influenza A (H3N2)v Transmission and Guidelines — Five States, 2011. (See Box)

Can humans be infected with swine influenza viruses?

Yes. Swine flu viruses do not normally infect humans, however, sporadic human infections with influenza viruses that normally infect swine have occurred. When this happens, these viruses are called “variant viruses.” Most commonly, human infections with variant viruses have occurred in persons exposed to infected pigs (e.g. children near pigs at a fair or workers in the swine industry). In addition, there have been documented cases of multiple persons becoming sick after exposure to one or more sick pigs. Also cases of limited person-to-person spread of variant viruses have occurred.

 

Although the number of confirmed cases over the past year remains small (now totaling 13), the CDC is obviously concerned and has ordered enhanced surveillance, testing, and reporting around the country as to better gauge the prevalence of this virus.

 

In December and again in January the CDC released updated guidance on this novel influenza, and you can access those documents at the following links.

UPDATED: Guidance Documents Related to Preventing the Spread of Influenza A Viruses Friday, January 06, 2012 3:35:00 PM

 

UPDATED: Key Facts about Human Infections with Variant Viruses (Swine Origin Influenza Viruses in Humans)  Friday, January 06, 2012 3:34:00 PM

 

UPDATED: Information on H3N2 Variant Influenza A Viruses Friday, January 06, 2012 3:34:00 PM

 

UPDATED: Variant (Swine Origin) Influenza Viruses in Humans Friday, January 06, 2012 3:33:00 PM

 

UPDATED: Information on Swine Influenza/Variant Influenza Viruses Friday, January 06, 2012 3:32:00 PM

 

 

While it is likely that there are more cases out there going undetected, the good news is that so far we haven’t seen any explosion of flu cases (of any stripe) this winter - and this H3N2v flu does not appear to be any more virulent than regular flu.

 

Emerging viruses are important to track and monitor, however, because they can change over time. A relatively benign virus today need not necessarily remain so tomorrow.

 

So while the public health threat at this moment from this variant virus appears low, the CDC has reminded us repeated in over the past few months:

 

It's possible that sporadic infections and even localized outbreaks among people with this virus will continue to occur.

 

While there is no evidence that sustained human to human transmission is occurring, all influenza viruses have the capacity to change and it's possible that this virus may become widespread.

 

 

Good enough reason to get your flu shot (to cover the other flu viruses out there) when it becomes available each year, and to consistently practice good flu hygiene (cover coughs, wash your hands often, stay home if sick) all year round.