INFORMATIONAL MEMORANDUM
ISSUE: AVIAN INFLUENZA
IMPORTANCE: Avian Influenza (AI) is a highly contagious disease that can devastate poultry
flocks, disrupt trade and in certain circumstances cause human illness. The industry would suffer
sever economic losses if an outbreak occurred in the U.S.
BACKGROUND: AI or "Bird Flu" is a highly contagious viral infection that has been detected
in at least 60 species of wild birds. It can manifest itself in different ways depending mainly on
the pathogenicity of the virus involved and on the species affected. Influenza infections in birds
are divided in two groups on the basis of their ability to cause disease. Highly Pathogenic AI
(HPAI) is a serious disease that can result in bird mortality up to 100 percent. HPAI viruses
spread throughout he infected birds, including into meat tissues, and will be both inside and
outside eggs from infected hens. HPAI is a reportable disease to the World Animal Health
Organization (OIE). Most AI strains are classified as Low Pathogenic AI (LPAI); LPAI is
generally a mild disease and is reportable if caused by H5 or H7 viruses. The LPAI virus may
mutate into HPAI virus; but the two infections will be distinct.
Wild birds, and especially waterfowls, are usually naturally resistant and generally are
asymptomatic. Exposure of domestic poultry to feces of infected migratory waterfowl and the
international movement of live poultry pose risks for introducing AI into U.S. poultry. Once
introduced, the disease can be spread from bird to bird by direct contact, manure, equipment,
vehicles, egg flats, crates, and people whose clothing or shoes have come in contact with the
virus. AI viruses can remain viable at moderate temperatures for long periods in the
environment and can survive indefinitely in frozen material. However, the viruses are
susceptible to typical sanitizing agents.
LPAI poses no known serious threat to human health. However, human infections with specific
strains of HPAI viruses may be fatal. Since December 2003, a growing number of countries
have reported outbreaks of HPAI in chickens and ducks. Humans also have been infected, most
of who had direct contact with infected birds. Therefore, preventative measures are needed to
avoid new AI outbreaks and eradicate outbreaks as soon as possible.
Experts take the view that an influenza pandemic affecting humans is inevitable and may be
imminent. Animal husbandry systems where humans live in close cohabitation with poultry are
considered the most likely source of new strains capable of crossing the species barrier from
animal to man, through genetic reassortment or recombination. The OIE and the Food and
Agricultural Organization (FAO) of the United Nations maintain rapid alert and notification
systems on animal health and food safety that cover influenza.
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Informational Memorandum
Avian Influenza
Page 2 of 2
AMI partnered with the National Restaurant Association to sponsor an AI symposium in
Washington, D.C. on January 12 and 13, 2006, and presented a webinar on AI to AMI members
on June 6, 2006. An AI technical paper written by AMI Vice President for Regulatory Affairs is
posted on the AMI website; the most recent update is November 22, 2006.
STATUS: Since 2003, the particularly virulent H5N1 highly pathogenic strain of the disease
has caused the death or destruction of over 200 million birds and the death of at least 153 people
in Azerbaijan, Cambodia, China, Egypt, Indonesia, Iraq, Thailand, Turkey and Viet Nam. The
HPAI H5N1 virus has been detected in at least 58 countries. Avian flu is still endemic in the
affected countries and eradication is proving extremely difficult; and the disease continues to
spread along the waterfowl flyway patterns. Furthermore, there are fears that this particular virus
strain may eventually lead to a human flu pandemic and involve swine as an intermediary or
additional host.
In November 2005, Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns requested $91 million in additional
funding to help safeguard the U.S. against HPAI. The additional funding will be used to increase
surveillance, improve biosecurity of poultry farms, control movement of birds that could spread
the disease, enhance international efforts on risk mitigation, ensure disposal programs are
adequate and environmentally sound, and educate producers and consumers at home and abroad.
The funding also would be used to produce an additional 40 million doses of vaccines against H5
and H7 viruses to be used in the event of outbreaks in U.S. poultry operations. The USDA
published its National Strategic Plan for Avian Influenza (dated January 2006) in March 2006.
Several countries, including the U.S., have imposed trade restrictions on birds and raw poultry
products to protect animal health. OIE and WHO state that any poultry products destined for
human consumption from countries experiencing outbreaks of AI do not pose a risk to public
health. Cooked poultry products from areas with H5N1 outbreaks can be imported into the U.S.
as long as all regulatory requirements are met. The World Health Organization (WHO), the
FAO and the OIE have called for decisive action by governments to help the affected countries
control bird flu outbreaks and thereby reduce the potential public health risks.
AMI POSITION: AMI will continue to monitor AI and its impact on poultry operations, assist
the federal government and other trade associations to minimize the impact of the disease on the
industry, and assist members in planning for business continuity in the event of a pandemic
associated with AI.
AMI CONTACTS:
JAMES HODGES
PRESIDENT
AMI FOUNDATION
SKIP SEWARD
VICE PRESIDENT
AMI – REGULATORY AFFAIRS
JANUARY 2007
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