September 14, 2004

 

 

Bird Flu Virus Found In US Turkeys

 

A flock of turkeys on a farm near Aurora, Missouri, US has tested positive for avian influenza.

 

The discovery of the virus means there will be no shipments of poultry from Lawrence County and surrounding counties to Russia for at least the next 30 days.

 

H3N2 avian influenza is commonly found in swine. From time to time, it appears in poultry where it usually does not cause severe illness. None of the birds in the flock of 14,000 at Aurora has died or showed signs of illness.

 

David Compton, director of emergency management for Barry and Lawrence counties, said, "It appears this will be the only flock that is affected. The flock is showing no symptoms. It has been quarantined as a precautionary measure.

 

"The virus was detected in serum tests from the birds as part of an active surveillance program through the Department of Agriculture," he said.

 

A spokesman with the U.S. Department of Agriculture's office in Missouri could not be reached for comment Monday.

 

Rick Vanderspek, general manager of Ag Forte, the turkey company for which the birds were being grown, said, "In the past, this would be a little blip that nobody paid attention to. But because of export regulations, it must be reported."

 

All cases of avian influenza are reportable under trade agreements with Russia, he said.

 

"It's a double-edged sword. We do blood tests on a regular basis. In this case, we found the virus and took the necessary steps to report it. We followed the letter of the law," he said.

 

The virus detected in the turkeys is not the China-based virus that medical experts believe could lead to a worldwide pandemic if it continues to mutate. That virus, H5N1, passed from birds to humans in Hong Kong in 1997, killing six of 18 infected people. Since then, human cases also have been reported in Vietnam and Thailand.

 

"This is a low pathogenic virus. It is quite common in hogs. It is one of about 15 in this group of viruses," he said. "It is not an H5 or H7 virus. Those are serious."

 

Because the virus has been detected in poultry, the regulation means Lawrence County and the counties surrounding it cannot export to Russia until Lawrence County regains clear or virus-free status.

 

Vanderspek said Ag Forte does not ship to Russia, but other poultry companies in the region do.

 

"The real impact could be on the local economy. That's why we are so concerned," he said.

 

Barry and Lawrence counties, in terms of agricultural production, are among the largest in the state.

 

Once the contagious stage for the virus has passed, the flock will be taken to the market. At that time, if no other flocks in the county test positive for the virus, the county will regain its clear status.

 

Vanderspek said about 30 flocks in the area were surveyed for the virus. None has tested positive. Vanderspek said it appears the virus has been contained.