July 5, 2006

 

USDA to lead in global bird flu combat
 

 

The USDA released Jun 29 an overview report that assigns responsibility to the department in leading the US government's animal health efforts to combat the highly pathogenic (HPAI) H5N1 bird flu worldwide.

 

Titled "The Pandemic Planning Report", the document details the USDA's efforts both internationally and domestically to combat the virus.

 

USDA Secretary Mike Johanns says in the report, "Working with the federal and state government partners, as well as industry, we are preparing the public for the possibility of a HPAI H5N1 detection in birds in the United States, informing them of our capability to respond to and contain the disease, and reminding them how to safely handle and cook poultry and its products."

 

He reveals that the department is specifically working with industry to help them develop and implement comprehensive preparedness plans that address issues such as humane mass euthanasia of poultry flocks, proper carcass disposal, proper protection of poultry workers, as well as best practices in controlling an outbreak.

 

The USDA, Johanns says, will maintain trade restrictions on poultry imports from regions where H5N1 has been detected in domestic flocks. "As one of the world's largest producers and exporters of poultry meat and the second- largest egg producer, we also are mindful of the economic implications of an outbreak for US agriculture," Johanns said.

 

The USDA is currently working closely with international organisations like the OIE, FAO and WHO to help these countries "prepare for, manage, or eradicate" H5N1 outbreaks, the report says.

 

The department is also now implementing a US$21-million comprehensive programme in international activities that address preparedness and communication, surveillance and detection, and response and containment.

 

As it is, it is already establishing offices and personnel in China, Laos, Cambodia, Thailand, and Indonesia, dedicated exclusively to bird flu activities. Later this year, it will facilitate a series of regional courses in HPAI epidemiology and conduct an Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation seminar to assist in developing farmer compensation programmes and risk communication campaigns.

 

It is also providing technical courses and short-term technical advisers to several countries on laboratory protocols and proficiency to detect HPAI, field techniques for surveillance and necropsy of wild birds, and applied epidemiology of HPAI, the report reveals. In some cases, USDA is delivering specialised technical equipment and materials to augment partner countries' existing infrastructure for H5N1 surveillance and detection.

 

"We believe the most effective approach to protecting animal and public health is aggressive control of the HPAI H5N1 at its current source: infected poultry of HPAI H5N1 affected regions," Johanns says. "By proactively working to contain the virus among these infected birds, we are reducing opportunities for the virus to further spread among susceptible animals and/or mutate into a virus with pandemic potential."

 

"In short, USDA's international efforts represent 'front line' battles to safeguard US agriculture and mitigate the risk of an influenza pandemic."

  

For the full USDA report, click here.