Avian Influenza (AI) otherwise known as “Bird Flu”
Monday July 7th, 2015
To: 4-H Poultry Exhibitors, 4-H Club Leaders and 4-H Project Leaders
From:
Amy VanDeBrake
Pierce County Ag Educator, 4-H Program Advisor
Re: Avian Influenza (AI)
Through recent discussions around the state of Wisconsin many are concerned about the potential spread of Avian Influenza (AI)
within our states poultry flocks. To date, Wisconsin has seen nine confirmed cases of AI. Industry analysts alone have estimated
26 million chickens and turkeys have either died or have been terminated to keep the AI from spreading in 2015.
Avian Influenza (AI) or “Bird Flu” is a virus that infects domestic poultry, such as chickens, turkeys, pheasants, quail, ducks and
geese, and wild birds, particularly waterfowl. Direct contact with infected birds, contaminated objects/equipment and aerosol
(short distances) can spread the virus which is found in feces, saliva and respiratory secretions. AI viruses are divided into two
groups- highly pathogenic (HPAI) and low pathogenic (LPAI)- based on the ability of the virus to produce disease and the
severity of the illness it can cause. HPAI spreads rapidly and has a high death rate in birds. LPAI causes only minor illness and
occurs naturally in migratory waterfowl. Note that there are many strains of avian influenza, many of which show little or no
visible signs of illness and pose no threat to public health. Each year new strains of AI appear throughout the world.
In an effort to protect Wisconsin’s poultry industry from the spread of this virus, State Veterinarian Dr. Paul McGraw called a ban
on the movement of poultry to, or participation in any swap meets in Wisconsin or open shows in Wisconsin that are not held as
part of a county, district, state fair or fair approved by the state veterinarian. In addition to the ban Dr. McGraw requests that all
participation in, any county, district, or state fair, or open poultry show or youth show held as part of a county, district, or state fair
in Wisconsin, must provide at fair check in a Poultry Certification form (enclosed in this mailing). At this time, the Pierce County
Fair is planning on allowing poultry to be exhibited. We will keep monitoring the situation and will follow the guidelines set by
the Wisconsin State Veterinarian. Please note that each youth and open show participant planning to exhibit poultry at the
2015 Pierce County Fair must have the poultry certification form completed and presented during check in at the Fair.
Poultry health recommendations that DATCP has put together regarding animal health and biosecurity information can be found
on our Pierce County webpage as well as Wisconsin DATCP. If you are an exhibitor please watch for further email reminders and
webpage updates regarding AI and exhibiting at the Pierce County Fair.
If you suspect clinical signs or have questions please contact your flock veterinarian. For more information on AI and biosecurity
practices for poultry farms contact Amy VanDeBrake, amy.vandebrake@ces.uwex.edu.
http://pierce.uwex.edu/
http://datcp.wi.gov/Animals/Animal_Diseases/Avian_Influenza/
http://www.pork.org/News/4545/SwineShowBiosecurityRecommendations.aspx#.UwYXUEJdXk_
Pierce County UW - Extension| 412 West Kinne Street, P.O. Box 69 Ellsworth, WI 54011 | phone 715-273-3781 | fax 715-273-6859