GA LPAI Avian Influenza H5 and H7 State First Response and Containment Plan
2014
GEORGIA LOW PATHOGENIC AVIAN INFLUENZA (LPAI) H5 and H7
STATE FIRST RESPONSE AND CONTAINMENT PLAN
JUNE 2014 version
Introduction
 Response Plan to H5 and H7 LPAI in Commercial and Non Commercial Poultry in GA
 Plan can be modified as outbreak unfolds
 Minimum biosecurity applies to all GA farms (Annex 7j)
Standing Emergency Disease Management Committee, diagnostic resources and GPLN
 SEDC is Current PTAC (Annex 7i)
 Members involved in response would be the ones with farms within the region where the
case is (NW, NE, S GA).
IMPORTANT: Note that in this Plan, GPLN is involved in the following activities:
1. Event coordination
2. GIS mapping origination
3. First response teams
4. Diagnostic and monitoring NAHLN Lab activities
DIAGNOSTIC RESOURCES: Lab contacts Annex 2a, NPIP Labs, Surge capacity in Annex 7k
Managing an AI case and outbreak
Summary of overall response activities
Presumptive Positive Result;(samples tested at GPLN)
Send to NVSL
Company Isolation of the Farm (or Quarantine)
ENACT FLOCK PLAN
Appraisal, Epidemiology, Flock Disposition, Quarantine
Release, Restocking of Farm
Retest of Farm by authorized personnel: Split each
Blood and OP/TR swab; Test at GPLN and NVSL
All tests negative:
Release of Company
Isolation/ Quarantine
One or more positive test(s)
at NVSL: Report to State vet
and AVIC; Activate PTAC,map
ENACT ZONE PLAN
Zone biosecurity and restrictions enacted; Surveillance starts
every 7-10 days; Restocking of Zone after 3 negative rounds
HANDLING OF A PRESUMPTIVE POSITIVE CASE
A presumptive positive case is one from which one or more samples is (are): Annex 7n for early
testing details
 positive on serology (AGID) at GPLN, not yet confirmed by NVSL
 positive on rRT-PCR at GPLN , not yet confirmed at NVSL
1. Presumptive positive samples are sent overnight to NVSL, even if the samples are from a
farm outside of GA.
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GA LPAI Avian Influenza H5 and H7 State First Response and Containment Plan
2014
2. With presumptive results at GPLN, the Poultry epidemiologist, AVIC and state veterinarian
are alerted that samples are being sent to NVSL. From that point on, they are made aware of
all results and activities.
3. GPLN lets company/owner know of the presumptive positive, GPLN sends Annex 3p to
company: Company Isolation (No quarantine yet unless warranted – uncooperative grower
or private owner)
4. GPLN arranges for farm visit for 30 blood/30 swabs/house retest the same day when
possible; Use pre-prepared “Diagnostic kit” with fresh BHI; Instructions in Annex 1h.
Preliminary epidemiological investigation with the grower is started at the time of the resampling (Annex 3c); if the farm is in another state, that state’s state veterinarian is notified
by GA’s state veterinarian. The follow up testing is decided upon by them, and by the
USDA District Office.
5. When retest samples come in to GPLN, each one is split, resulting in 2 identical sets of
samples; GPLN retests one split of the samples and overnights the other to NVSL
6. If the result is negative at NVSL, the company is immediately notified by GPLN and the
isolation is released: All normal business resumes for the company.
HANDLING OF A POSITIVE CASE
When a sample is confirmed positive to H5 or H7 at NVSL, GPLN does the following (unless
otherwise noted underlined):
1. An incident coordinator is designated, that is responsible for the following:
2. Submit signed Lab MOU (Annex 3k) to USDA District office
3. A quarantine is placed on the premise by GDA (Annex 3v) as soon as the case is confirmed
positive by NVSL. Quarantines are also placed as needed if dangerous contacts and
epidemiological links are identified.
4. Inform the Senior coordinator of the NPIP, neighboring state vets (Dr Cobb), local EMA if
necessary and as decided by the Committee (GDA)
5. Activate the PTAC (members within 50 miles of case, or by region – Annex 7i): Meetings on
a daily basis or as needed, by phone or in person for situation updates
6. Request that non-commercial assemblages that involve poultry in GA be cancelled if
deemed necessary. By GDA
7. Request for free range birds to be placed inside (Annex 3u)
8. Meet with affected company and discuss their Flock Plan
9. Preparation for first meeting or conference call
 Summarize Lab findings/preliminary epidemiological findings
 Activate GIS, draw 6 mile zone (zones may be added/modified as risk is assessed by
PTAC), with farms labeled on the map and listed
 Contact companies to get farm status and/or age of birds of all farms in Zones
10. Implement Flock and Zone Plans with PTAC
IMPLEMENT FLOCK PLAN
 Summarize case description and lab findings
 Summarize immediate actions by company
 Designate embedded official
 Share Flock Plan
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GA LPAI Avian Influenza H5 and H7 State First Response and Containment Plan
2014
Flock Plan by COMPANY, conducted with embedded official; All decisions are risk based. Annex 3l
 Decide on Security: The need for farm security is assessed. If necessary, the entry to the farm is
secured. This will be done by the company and overseen if necessary by GDA, USDA or local law
enforcement (if needed), who will see that the necessary equipment and personnel are available.
 Establish enhanced farm Biosecurity: Follow Annex 1e for grower, Annex 1a for company, Annex 1b
for Premise Control Point
 Schedule Appraisal ASAP:
o Commercial poultry: Inventory is taken by embedded official before euthanasia, form 123
(Annex 3n) is filled and sent the District Office.
o Non Commercial Poultry: A USDA appraiser comes on site (Annex 3n).
 Schedule Epidemiological Investigation: Started by the veterinarian visiting the farm for sampling;
completed by a designated poultry veterinarian on a visit within the first week of the diagnosis.
 Decide on Euthanasia method (in accordance with AVMA guidelines): GOAL: Euthanize within 24
hours of confirmation (Annex 4).
 Decide on Disposal method (In accordance with GDA guidelines (Annex 5)
 Decide on C&D procedure (by company or contract) (Annex 6)
 Schedule post C&D testing (Annex 6b);
 Quarantine released after clean post C&D test
IMPLEMENT ZONE PLAN (6 mile Zone)
 Describe location of farms in 6 mile zone
 Summarize status of farms in zone
 Establish if there are dangerous contacts to quarantine
 Follow Zone Biosecurity (Annex 1f)
 Agree on a 24 hour no movement period; Then follow Annex 1c for movement and
permits (Permit form Annex 3t).
 Surveillance by industry teams. Start within 24 hours, follow priorities (See 11.
Below). Give lab forms out (Annex 3d).
 GDA starts non commercial survey in 2 mile Zone
 Forms to complete (if applicable):



Compliance agreement birds (Annex 3f)
Compliance agreement eggs (Annex 3g)
Cooperative agreement surveillance (Annex 3k)
11. Details on Surveillance
Priorities for testing within Zones: Test first:
 Farms with a epidemiological link to the suspect flock
 Flocks with higher than expected mortality
 Flocks with clinical signs: drop in egg production or feed refusal
 All broilers ready to go to processing within 6 mile Zone. Only negative flocks move (virus
detection test within 48 hours of movement)
 On the first round of testing, breeders and layers are tested using virus detection and
serology. Subsequent testing is virus detection only.
LPAI PLAN GA JUNE 2014
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GA LPAI Avian Influenza H5 and H7 State First Response and Containment Plan
2014
Guidelines for surveillance activities (Annex 7b for procedures):
 Use monitoring kit and instructions, Annex 1i
 Retest every 7-10 days until the affected farm quarantine is lifted.
 Virus detection (swabs) can be done by the barrel method or in house.
 Numbers: All bird types: Minimum 10 samples/house, minimum 30 samples/premise
 Broilers are tested when 21days or older
 Before releasing the Zone, all farms not yet tested because of age get one round of testing
 Adult birds are also tested by the barrel method or in house. They are also bled on the first
round of testing. No eggs are submitted for testing.
 Barrel Surveillance: Annex 7b
 Instructions for sampling using pre made kits Annexes 1h and 1i
Monitoring Activity: SURVEILLANCE every 7-10 days, 10/house; min 30/premise
Virus detection
Serology
Zone broilers over 21 days
no
yes
Zone adult birds
Yes 1st round of testing only
yes
Monitoring Activity: MOVEMENT; within 48 hours of movement; If bleeding, within 5 days of movement
6 mile Zone Adult birds for movement
No unless this is their first test
yes
6 mile Zone Processing Age broilers
No
yes
12. Survey and Surveillance of Non commercial Birds:
Start Survey for non commercial birds within the 2 mile zone (by GDA). Test
schedule 10 OP/T swabs from live birds and, if available, OP/T swabs from
mortality. Follow Annex 1g for instructions regarding sample type and handling
different species. During the visit, explain and leave Annex 3wx. Repeat every 7-10
days.
13. Quarantine release and repopulation and continues surveillance:
 The positive farm will be released from Quarantine after C&D and proof of absence of virus
(Annex 6b).
 The Quarantines on dangerous contacts and epidemiological links are lifted after 2 rounds
of negative testing
 The farms in the 2 mile Zone can be repopulated after 3 rounds of negative testing of the 6
mile Zone; although decisions about repopulating the farms within 1 mile to the case will be
made by the Committee, and will depend on risk.
 Surveillance every 7-10 days in the 6 mile Zone continues until the affected farm is released
from Quarantine.
 After the 3 rounds of testing in the 6 mile Zone every 7-10 days, relax to every 2-3 weeks
 Monitoring after last positive flock is released from Quarantine
o All populated farms (over 21 days old) within the 2 mile Zone once a month for 2
more months.
o Sixty days after the affected farm quarantine is lifted, monitoring returns to NPIP
levels.
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GA LPAI Avian Influenza H5 and H7 State First Response and Containment Plan
2014
ADDRESSING NON COMMERCIAL POULTRY ACTIVITIES WITHIN THE
ZONE (GDA)

When the premises are found and tested, the situation is explained to the non commercial
poultry owners to not buy or sell/give away birds for the period of the outbreak. Letters are
left with them and explained. Annex 3w
INDEMNITY
USDA has 100% indemnity for flocks in states that participate in the NPIP AI monitored program and that have an approved
Low Path AI Containment and First Response Plan, only if funds are available. Indemnity may not be available if birds are
depopulated prior to USDA approval. Companies have to submit an estimate of costs for Euthanasia, Disposal and C&D for
approval. Annex 3r can be used as a guide. After the activities, receipts have to be submitted for reimbursement. Specific rules
addressing appraisals, destruction, disinfection and claims are addressed in 9CFR 53.3-11 and 9CFR 56.8.
DOCUMENTATION
Throughout the outbreak, situation reports will be prepared every day or as needed, by the person
in charge of the event or designee. Annex 3b
VACCINES
GA would consider vaccination:
 In some extreme circumstances where very large numbers of confined poultry would be
found positive such as commercial layers.
 As a means towards eradication, and NOT as a sole control method.
The process of approval will include concurrence of the State Veterinarian and approval of the
Deputy Administrator of USDA for H5 and H7 vaccines as part of the eradication program.
Forms needed:
 Transfer of vaccine (Annex 3j)
 Covering cost of vaccination Annex 3i)
Vaccine would be purchased and administered by the company and be under the control and
permitted for use by the State of GA. The Federal and State role in the vaccination process will be
limited to oversight and monitoring.
Our strategy is that we would use an inactivated vaccine and the DIVA strategy (Same H type,
different N type in vaccine). We would only consider vaccinating primary breeders, and/or pullets
or adult birds on multiage complexes with the goal of eradicating Avian Influenza.
CONTROLLED MARKETING
Controlled marketing (processing virus negative, antibody positive flock) will only be considered
under extreme circumstances.
EDUCATION PROGRAMS
In 2014, an educational poster was placed on every GA farm, thanks to a USDA cooperative
agreement. GPLN is in contact with industry regarding disease events.
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GA LPAI Avian Influenza H5 and H7 State First Response and Containment Plan
2014
INFORMATION SHARING






Prior to any official report, all inquiries go to GDA.
With a presumptive positive result, the information will be exchanged confidentially with
the affected company by GPLN, although companies that are close to the case may be
notified (decision made on a case by case basis). Those companies should treat this
information as sensitive.
Notification of poultry industry of first confirmed positive case: State veterinarian or
delegate (email/conference call).
After the first report, information flows from PTAC to Industry through list serve.
For Press: Information flows from PTAC Information person to GDA to Press
Secure information flow: From growers, public, etc to PTAC (analysis of information).
PTAC releases one consensus message to GDA and to industry (situation report – Annex
3b).
GA Plan Quick Reference Chart
Quarantine released and farm repopulation
2 mile Zone repopulation
Number of samples monitored/ farm
Number of foamers in GA
Zone sizes
Critical Forms
Euthanasia method of choice
Anticipated cost of E, D, and C&D
Approved AI testing labs
Embedded Officials
LPAI PLAN GA JUNE 2014
GPLN LPAI Plan Quick Reference Chart
After C&D and Environment test negative
After 2 rounds of negative tests for all farms
10 per house – 30 minimum
4 (2 trailer foamers at GPLN, 1 Kifco at GPLN, 1 Kifco at Fieldale)
2 and 6 miles
MOU Flock Plan (3l) and Appraisal Form (3n)
Foaming
Breeders: $3/bird; Broilers: $0.75/bird (commercial poultry)
GPLN, AVDL, TVDL
Anderson, Crane, Johnson , Smeltzer, Surles, Zavala
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GA LPAI Avian Influenza H5 and H7 State First Response and Containment Plan
2014
Annexes
1.
2.
3.
Biosecurity
a. Biosecure deliveries (Feed trucks)
b. Biosecure essential visit to a positive farm
c. Movement of poultry and poultry
products
d. Premise control point (PCP)
e. Positive farm biosecurity
(grower/company)
f. Zone Biosecurity
g. Monitoring a non commercial flock
h. AI Diagnostic sampling
i. AI Monitoring sampling
Contacts
a. Laboratory contacts
b. Indsutry Contacts
c. GDA Livestock and Poultry
d. USDA Contacts
e. Landfills
f. Rendering Plants
Forms
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
NVSL submission form (10-4)
Situation report
Epi questionnaire
Lab submission form for GPLN
Utilities form letter
Compliance agr for euthanasia and
disposal
g. Compliance agr for destruction of eggs
h. Compliance agr for C&D
i. Cooperative agr for payment for vacc
admin
j. Cooperative agr for transfer of vaccine
k. Cooperative agr for the payment of surv
costs
l. MOU Flock Plan
m. PCP Form
n. Appraisal form 123
o. CVI for movement of poultry from LPAI
p. Company isolation: Letter of notification
q. Euthanasia to proceed
r. Estimated costs and useful numbers
s. Indemnity request
t. Permit for movement
LPAI PLAN GA JUNE 2014
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u. Letter for free range birds
v. Quarantine placement
w. Letter to non commercial poultry owners
4.
Euthanasia
a. CO2: Breeder floor
b. CO2: Broiler floor
c. CO2: Enclosures
d. CO2: Whole House
e. CO2: Carts
f. CO2: Backyard
g. Foaming using trailer
h. Foaming trailer: Checklist of supplies
i. Foaming using Kifco
j. Kifco: Checklist of supplies
5.
Disposal
a. GDA animal mortality summary
b. Disposal by county
c. Composting summary
d. Moving materials off premises
6.
Cleaning and Disinfection
a. GDA C&D document
b. Swabbing after C&D
7.
Miscellaneous
a. Supplies available at Oakwood
b. Blood and Barrel Surveillance SOGs
c. PPE
d. GA rule for poultry movement from an
LPAI state
e. Approved appraisers
f. Embedded official
g. Trade issues
h. Packaging and Labeling requirements for
shipment
i. PTAC contacts
j. Minimum biosecurity for all farms
k. Diagnostic resources (Labs)
l. GA AI Surveillance Programs
m. Definitions and Acronyms
n. GPLN Early testing details