Foreign Animal Diseases in Poultry

Angie DementExtension Associate for Veterinary MedicineTexas AgriLife Extension ServiceThe Texas A&M Systemhttp://aevm.tamu.edu

Improving Lives. Improving Texas.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VkrDVSZszbQ

“Avian Flu” “Bird Flu”Viral diseaseTwo classifications or forms• Low-pathogenic avian influenza (LPAI)

– risk to poultry industry– reportable– endemic disease– most common class

• High-pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI)– serious damage to poultry industry– reportable– epidemic disease

Disease severity and symptoms determine class

Zoonotic disease (Rare)• HPAI class• Mutates – potentially infectious to

people•limited bird to people via bird feces •unusual people to people • not a pandemic (global) human flu

• 115 human deaths (1/04-5/06) – SE Asia

Human Flu: 36,000 human deaths/yr – US

• Vaccines under development• Antiviral drugs available• Accelerated monitoring and

surveillance• Advanced diagnostic

technologies• Advanced information delivery

technologies

Affects many bird species:•Chickens

•Turkeys

•Pheasants

•Quail

•Geese

•Ducks

•Guinea fowl

Causative AgentCaused by influenza strain A virus•Over 144 subtypes of type HN

•by combinations of H and N• H = Hemaglutinin• N = Neuraminidase

•examples = H1N2, H2N2, H7N2

• Types H5 and H7• mutates from LPAI to HPAI• FAD (not in US)

• Subtype H5N1 (epidemics)• HPAI• bird to bird, rarely to people• Asia

• Subtype H7N7 (epidemics)• HPAI • bird to bird, rarely to people• The Netherlands

• Various Subtypes of HN (endemics)• LPAI• bird to bird, not to people• US

Virus denatured by:• Heat

– Proper cooking• Drying• Most disinfectants/detergents

Transmission Natural reservoir:• Migratory waterfowl

• Virus in intestines

• Virus shed in feces

“One gram of contaminated manure can contain enough virus to infect1 million birds.”

Bird - bird direct contact• Feces

– fecal to oral transmission most common

• Saliva• Nasal excretions

Bird – environment - bird indirect contact:

• Mechanical contamination• Environmental transmission

– Manure – Equipment– Vehicles– Egg flats– Crates – People articles

DiagnosisLPAI• No symptoms• Low-risk virus

HPAI• Symptoms• Sudden death before symptoms• High-risk virus

– virulent– highly infectious– respiratory disease

Symptoms:• Sudden death• Lack

energy/appetite• Decreased egg

production• Egg deformities• Swellings

• Red and purple skin• Nasal discharge• Coughing/sneezing• Incoordination• Diarrhea

Prevention

BIOSECURITY!• Lock houses• Special clothing• Don’t visit other

houses• Control visitors• Cleanliness

• Submit sick birds• Dispose of dead birds• Restricted area signs• No live-bird market

birds• Sanitary/disinfectant

protocols

Regulation and Eradication

•Texas FEAD Response Plan– identify positive animals and destroy– reduce amount of time to get back test

results– track origin of suspect animals

•LPAI– quarantine– may destroy birds (depopulation) with

evidence of mutation– disinfect premises

•HPAI– quarantine– destroy birds (depopulation)– disinfect premises

Previously known as Velogenic Viscerotropic Newcastle Disease (VVND)

– Viral disease

– Affects all bird species

– Highly contagious

– Most infectious poultry disease

– Reportable

– Zoonotic

Exotic Newcastle Disease

Causative Agent• Virus

– Serotype group Avian paramyxovirus type 1 (APMV-1)

• Highly resilient

Transmission• Virus excreted by

– Feces– Nose– Mouth – Eyes

• Virus enters by– Ingestion– Inhalation

• Spread by:– Direct contact– Mechanical means– Human contamination

• Incubation period is 2 to15 days

• Highly contagious in all bird species

• Some birds die without symptoms

Diagnosis• Clinical signs include:

– Respiratory– Digestive– Nervous– Egg production– Swelling– Death – if flocks are not vaccinated,

death rate will be 100% if animals become infected

• Maintain biosecurity measures

• No pet birds

• Diseased birds to diagnostic

lab

• Know health status of birds before bringing them to farm

Prevention

Regulation and Eradication

• Texas FEAD Emergency Response Plan

– identify positive animals and destroy

– reduce amount of time to get back

test results

– track origin of suspect animals

#1 response procedure is to destroy an infected flock and impose a strict quarantine.

• Clean entire premises

• Wait 30 days before repopulating

• Control insect/rodent population

• Deactivate virus by:– Sun exposure (UV rays)– Rapid dehydration

The virus can survive for weeks in warm, humid environments and indefinitely on frozen material.

Poultry Biosecurity• Keep Your Distance• Keep It Clean • Don’t Haul Disease Home • Don’t Borrow Disease

From Your Neighbor • Know the Warning Signs of

Infectious Bird Diseases • Report Sick Birds

Questions