February 18, 2004

 
Comprehensive Tests Shows No Bird Flu In Delaware
 

The Delaware Department of Agriculture Tuesday reported that further tests on Monday for bird flu turned up negative.

The DDA said that on Monday, commercial and backyard chicken flocks were tested for evidence of avian influenza. The tested facilities included 82 houses representing 37 farms in and outside of the six-mile radius of the two infected sites reported previously. All tested negative.

In addition, the virus at the second infected site has been identified as H7N2, which has no history of risk to humans, or in any way affects the safety of eating Delmarva poultry. There is still no report on its pathogenicity, the DDA release said.

As a precautionary measure, testing has been expanded to areas outside of the six-mile radius.

Michael Scuse, Delaware Secretary of Agriculture said, "We are expanding our area of testing, as an added safeguard, because we want to do everything that can possibly be done to prevent the spread of this disease."

Bill Satterfield, executive director of Delmarva Poultry Industry Inc., said beginning Wednesday, Feb. 18, the pre-slaughter surveillance zone will be a 35 by 40 mile area. Later in the week the zone will be a 55 x 50 mile area.

Birds from farms slated for processing within 72 hours will be tested using tracheal swabs, Satterfield said. In addition to pre-slaughter testing, any flock exhibiting suspicious signs of illness or those with other than normal mortality will also be tested.

According to Scuse, other precautionary measures are still in effect. On Friday, he issued the following order: "I have asked all fertilizer companies in Delaware not to spread any products on Kent or Sussex county farms for the next two weeks. This includes all farms, not just poultry growers. This includes fertilizer, lime, and similar applications. In addition, please limit your contact with these farms for any other reasons (sales calls, visits, etc). If it is absolutely necessary for anyone from your establishment to contact a farm in Kent or Sussex County, please use appropriate biosecurity measures. This will remain in effect as long as conditions warrant."

DDA said avian influenza is most often transmitted from one bird to another through mud and manure that can be tracked from farm to farm on shoes or vehicles. It can also be transmitted from bird to bird through the air.