Avian Flu Information
Avian Influenza in Birds
The AVMA has produced both a backgrounder and a FAQs document
addressing AI, which include what we know about AI with respect to cats
and dogs. These are available here:
http://www.avma.org/public_health/influenza/avinf_bgnd.asp
and
http://www.avma.org/public_health/influenza/avian_faq.asp
The AVMA regularly post updates to their Web site as new information on AI
becomes available. The influenza section also includes information about swine influenza, equine influenza and
canine influenza. Dr. Gail Golab and Dr. Cindy Lovern at the AVMA have been
working directly with the CDC on this important emerging issue
and is keeping us well informed of the developments.
Below are some valuable information and resouce links to the US
Department of Agriculture and Florida Department of Agriculture
and Consumer Services' websites regarding Avian flu in poultry and to the USGS Wildlife Health Center site which focuses on Avian flu in wild birds. Also below is a
link to a document with guidelines developed by the American Association of Zoo Veterinarians for prevention and
protection against the disease.
http://www.nwhc.usgs.gov/disease_information/avian_influenza/index.jsp
http://www.aphis.usda.gov/lpa/issues/avian_influenza/index.html
http://www.doacs.state.fl.us/ai/main/avian_flu_main.shtml
Avian influenza guidelines v03 00.pdf
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1. The human outbreak of H5N1 avian influenza virus reported from SE Asia is currently a zoonotic disease where
the virus is transmitted from birds to people.
2. The H5N1 virus is not transmitted efficiently from person to person.
3. Human infections are rare, the people who have become ill are thought to have acquired the infections from being
in direct contact with poultry and ducks, including plucking and preparing of diseased birds, playing with birds
and eating raw bird blood and meat products.
4. H5N1 Avian Influenza has not been detected in birds (or humans) in the United States.
5. Florida Department of Health works closely with state and federal agricultural authorities who are responsible
for the monitoring of and response to avian influenza outbreaks in domestic poultry.
Floridians are required to report clusters of poultry mortality to The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer
Services at 850-410-0900.
6. The Department also works closely with Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, the agency that investigates
disease outbreaks in wild birds. The public is encouraged to report dead bird clusters (whether they are from WN,
aquatic toxins or AI) at www.myFWC.com/bird.
Most wild bird species are asymptomatic carriers of avian influenza. In other words, it is unlikely dead bird mortality
would be the first sign of the H5N1 virus arrival in Florida. However, FWC is doing surveillance for AI in ducks
and shore birds that die of other causes. On a national level, the most important ongoing avian flu surveillance
project is the AI testing of wild birds migrating along the Alaskan fly way (following birds flying from Asia to
the Americas).
7. To minimize the risk of spreading bird diseases like AI, dead birds should not be transported of the premises
where they are found (to a land fill) but be buried on site 2' under ground. The person handling the bird should
be wearing gloves and goggles. It is also important the person washes his or her hands after handling the animal.
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