Bird flu outbreak threatens livestock

A new outbreak of avian influenza is working its way across the flight paths of migratory birds and has infected livestock and wildlife in Montana.

Last month a captive gyrfalcon was found dead in Flathead County. Investigation by the Montana Department of Livestock confirmed the cause of death as Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza. Less than one week later, a poultry farmer in Judith Basin County reported a surprising increase in mortality with his flock. Chickens were shipped to the National Veterinary Services Laboratory in Ames, Iowa, where tests confirmed the presence of the H5N2 strain of the virus.

At this time there are no reported cases of human infection in the United States.

“We have no confirmed cases of transfer between these birds and humans,” said Jayson O’Neill, a public information specialist with the Montana Department of Agriculture.

Avian influenza is caused by the type A influenza virus and can infect poultry. It is carried by free-flying waterfowl, such as ducks and geese. The H5N2 strain reported in Montana originated in Asia as the H5N8 virus and spread through the Pacific flyways in 2014, where it mixed with North American viruses to create a new strain.

Dr. Tahnee Szymanski, a veterinarian with the Montana Department of Agriculture, said the virus is extremely pathogenic, meaning it spreads through poultry populations quickly with extremely high mortality.

“This virus has a significant mortality rate in a very short period of time,” she said.

Mortality in chicken populations approaches 90 percent and can decimate entire turkey populations once infected.

Dr. Szymanski said the chance of human contamination is minimal, especially if basic safety protocols are followed. Proper cooking of meat and eggs is essential to safety, Dr. Szymanski said, as well as thorough hand-washing after contact with raw poultry. Thorough cooking of meat and eggs makes even contaminated meat safe for human consumption.

“We’ve not had any human cases here since I started in 2008,” she said. “Although there have been reported human cases on the Asian continent.”

The United States Department of Agriculture released a series of tips last month to help poultry owners protect their flocks.

First, poultry owners are advised to restrict access to property and birds. The agency also advises owners to fence off their birds and create barriers to maintain separation between their flocks and any wild birds, especially protecting their food and water from outside birds.

Second, the agency advises owners to minimize the potential transfer of diseases by keeping a clean set of shoes and clothes near bird enclosures. Owners should change into those items before entering the enclosure in order to eliminate the risk of contamination from outside contact with other birds.

Proper disposal of dead birds is a vital component of maintaining a clean environment. Dead birds should be buried or incinerated in accordance with local ordinances.

The agency advises anyone with sick birds to report it immediately. Symptoms of avian influenza for birds include a sudden increase of death in the flock, sneezing, coughing or nasal discharge, watery and green diarrhea, lack of energy and poor appetite, drop in egg production or misshapen eggs, or swelling around the eyes, neck and head.

The Montana Department of Livestock is investigating the spread of the disease and will be working with poultry producers to conduct disease surveillance and provide additional education and resources.