First and foremost let me say this: There is no pandemic influenza at this time. The purpose of this story is to provide some background on pandemic influenza. I hope I can cut through some of the confusion and misinformation and explain to you what is-and is not-happening.

Pandemic & Avian Influenza

Let me start by clarifying terms.

Pandemic influenza, by definition, is an outbreak of an infectious disease that spreads world wide or at least across a large geographical region. This is not what's happening right now. Unfortunately the media coverage has tended to equate avian influenza (bird flu) with "pandemic" influenza.

Avian influenza (H5N1) is commonly transmitted from bird to bird and, rarely, from bird to human.

How Big a Concern Is Avian Influenza?

A few suspected cases of human to human transmission of H5N1 have occurred in other parts of the world. But these are considered unique and poultry exposure has not been completely ruled out. In these rare instances, the infection has not continued beyond one person.

Scientists realize that there's a possibility that the H5N1 avian influenza virus could mutate into a virus that could transmit easily from human to human. But this has not yet happened. And it might never happen. In short, no one can state definitively that the H5N1 virus will become the world's next pandemic influenza; nor can anyone rule out the possibility.

Various low-pathogen (disease causing) forms of avian influenza are most often found naturally in waterfowl (geese, ducks, swans) and shore birds (sandpiper-type birds) worldwide; however, there are no documented cases of the disease being transmitted to humans from wild birds. If migrating wild birds were to bring the virus into the Americas and if the virus infected our poultry flocks, major economic losses could occur, not only to the poultry industry but to the national economy. The loss of poultry and poultry products in the grocery stores would definitely have an adverse effect on the nation's food supply. Imagine Thanksgiving without a turkey!

Infections and the Link to Domestic Poultry

Most known bird to human infections have been linked to close contact with infected birds (domesticated chickens, ducks, & turkeys). Such infections have occurred in countries in which backyard flocks and open markets are used to sell live birds for human consumption.

For the most part, the methods of raising and selling poultry in the US and Canada are different. The majority of poultry production facilities in the US and Canada are large confinement operations. This limits exposure to the general public.

The Present State of Affairs

A report of avian influenza (H5N1 or any other strain) in North America would not signal the start of a human influenza pandemic-although it would put us on the alert for one. Federal and state public health officials (veterinary and human health) in the US are actively monitoring the avian influenza situation. Canadian health officials are doing the same. Surveillance in wild and domestic birds is underway in both countries. So far, H5N1 has not been diagnosed in North America.

Poultry owners are being asked to report unusual death, loss or illness consistent with avian influenza to their state veterinary office or to the US Department of Agriculture. Imports of poultry/poultry products from countries with known infections are currently banned from entering the US. (Unfortunately, some illegal transport of poultry into the US does occur.)

If the virus is found in a poultry flock, infected birds would be destroyed and disposed of in a safe, humane manner. They would not be allowed to enter the food chain. It's interesting to note, however, that properly cooked poultry products present no food safety hazard associated with avian influenza.

Conclusion

I hope this casts some light on things. For further information and updates on pandemic influenza, avian influenza, or seasonal influenza, visit: www.FluInfo.in.gov

FAQs

Wild Birds & Influenza

By Kay E. Knox

Here are answers to two commonly asked questions regarding wild birds:

Is it safe to have a bird feeder in your yard?
Answer: Backyard feeder-type birds are at low-risk of having or spreading the disease. The species at highest risk are migratory waterfowl; they are not likely to feed at backyard feeders.

Is it safe to swim in ponds frequented by geese?

Answer: Resident Canada geese are at low-risk of having AI. We don't have specific data about risks associated with this type of activity, but we can say that persons swimming in farm ponds or lakes can expect to be at higher risk of encountering many other pathogens that can have an impact on your health, compared to H5N1.

AVIAN INFLUENZA IN NORTH AMERICA

Outbreaks with Transmissions to Humans

By Glenn Demby

There is no pandemic influenza. But there have been more than 17 outbreaks of avian influenza in North America between 1997 and 2005. Most of the outbreaks involved low pathogenic viruses of the A type (H5 and H7 subtypes). In most cases, the outbreak was confined to poultry; but a couple involved transmissions to humans.

H7N3 in Canada--2004

On February 19, 2004, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency announced an outbreak of HN73 in poultry in the Fraser Valley region of British Columbia. Two cases of H7 influenza were confirmed in humans - one a worker involved in culling and the other a worker in poultry operations. Each worker developed conjunctivitis (eye infection) and other flu-like symptoms; both recovered. For more information on the outbreak see, http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/anima/heasan/disemala/avflu/situatione.shtml.

H7N2 in New York -2003

In November 2003, a patient displaying severe respiratory symptoms was admitted to a New York hospital. Tests confirmed that the patient had been infected with the H7N2 avian influenza A virus. The patient remained in the hospital for a few weeks and made a full recovery.

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