Chickens Can Get Infected By Viruses From Gulls, Shore Birds GEORGETOWN, Del. New research on influenza reveals evi dence that influenza viruses in gulls and shore birds constitute a major reservoir of viruses in the world and represent a source of each of the thirteen different HA and nine different neuraminidase subtypes. The research, sponsored by the Delmarva Poultry Industry, Inc. (DPI) and the National Institutes of Health, was initiated in 198 S and continued through 1989. The work was conducted by Dr. Wil liam L. Sladen, Wildlife Trust of North America and Drs. Robert G. Webster, Thomas M. Chambers, and Yoshihiro Kawaoka, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee. The new research covers the years 1988 and 1989. Fecal sam ples for influenza virus analysis were collected by Sladen at sever al shoreline locations, in freshly ploughed fields, at a rubbish dump, and roadside picnic areas on the Delmarva peninsula. They were sent to Webster in Memphis where they were analyzed for influenza viruses. Samples were collected monthly during May- September 1988. The highest per centage of influenza viruses were isolated during May (25 percent of the samples contained influenza viruses) while the lowest percen tage was in September (I.S per cent). This distribution of virus corresponds with the migration of the ruddy tumstone and red knot During 1988,674 samples were Advanced ventilation systems for poultry and livestock The complete air moving system for efficient animal production Advanced Air Systems Designed To Be Reliable, Versatile, and Sim '■s) RLX Fan M*tr. &T* ' Your Authorized Distributor WE OFFER A FULL LINE OF CHORE-TIME PARTS 24 Hr. Service Dealer Inquiries Invited examined for influenza viruses. The species of birds that had the highest percentages of isolates were ruddy tumstones (40.2 per cent), knots (23.2 percent), laugh ing gulls (12.1 percent), and her ring gulls (10.8 percent). Accord ing to the researchers, it is apparent that among shorebirds, the ruddy tumstone is the primary purveyor of influenza viruses. It is possible that the ruddy tumstone transmits the virus by fecal conta mination of horseshoe crab eggs and cross infects many species of gulls and shore birds. A number of species contained no detectable influenza viruses. Many combinations of hemag glutinin and neuraminidase sub types of influenza viruses were isolated from shore birds and gulls. The most prevalent viruses were of the H 4 N 6 subtype. The incidence of influenza vir uses in shore birds and gulls dur ing 1989 was lower than in any of the previous years, only 8.5 per cent, and by June, no influenza viruses were isolated from more than 100 samples tested. The low er percentage may have been due to the fact that the majority of rud dy tumstones and knots had already moved north when the samples were collected. The researchers’ previous stu dies have shown that more than half of the influenza viruses iso lated from shore birds and gulls have the potential to replicate in chickens, but none of those tested had the potential to cause disease Air MM RLX Fan v v - - v ' V ‘ • AHC Fan Cabinet Shutter Fan FARMER BOY AG, PH 717-866-7565 410 E LINCOLN AVE MYERSTOWN, PA 17067 WE SHIP UPS M-F 7:00-5:00; SAT. 7:30-11:30 signs. To test replication in chick- studies also indicate that May is For more information about this ens, an H 7 N 3 influenza virus was the time of the year when the research, contact the Delmarva selected. It was inoculated orally greatest risk of introduction of the Poultry Industry, Inc., R.D. 2, Box into SPAFAS white-leghorn viruses exists. 47, Georgetown, DE 19947-9622. chickens at 4 weeks of age. The virus replicated in the trachea and v w j . ~ was shed in the feces, but caused dCCKS LtailCl-Ijrailt SSOIUtIOIIS no disease sign. When the vims isolated from the trachea of the Grant priorities for the ’9os. SPAFAS birds was inoculated intravenously into “spent hens,” three of the birds showed disease signs of respiratory infection and two of the eight died. This indi cates that the H 7 influenza viruses have the potential to become high ly pathogenic in domestic chickens. The research did not answer a number of questions, such as; • What is the incidence of influenza viruses in gulls and shore birds in the vicinity of poul try houses or at landfills or dumps that may be visited by poultry farm workers? > Do passerine birds (starlings and sparrows) play a role in transmission? • What is the source of the viruses? • Are there highly efficacious vaccines available for these viruses? The researchers conclude that the practical consequence of these studies is that shore birds and gulls must be kept completely separated from domestic poultry. Humans must not visit contaminated beaches and track fecal contami nation into chicken houses. The ' * A. /mm ■ fix* ‘ ** * I v* Swine ft Poultry Systems Specialists LEBENSBURG (Cambria Co.) Marvin Haselrig, president of the Cambria County Extension Board recently returned from Washington, D.C., where he parti cipated with 400 other citizen leaders from 35 states at the National Land-Grant University Lay Leaders Seminar. Delegates to the National Land- Grant Lay Leaders Seminar repre sent community leadership from throughout the nation. They bring knowledge about problems facing citizens which the Land-Grant system must address. During the 1990 Seminar, delegates partici pated in 16 town meetings so they could contribute their own per spectives on concerns they would like to see become part of Land- Keep Your Animals Blissfully Unaware Of What Season It Is .Turnabout Fan PanolFan* Lancaster Fanning Saturday. April 21,1990-027 MAILBOX MARKET FOR SALE Flock Cheviot sheep, 6 ewes, 1 ram, 1, 2 3 yrs old three lambs $450 Schuyl Co. 717-943-2017. Farmall Cub lowboy w/ 1700. A| so radiator & rear mower $2995. Wanted- ®" a ;„c Q =o Oliver Super 77. 88 gas 717-458-5959 Seneca Co., OH 419-426-4535 Dayton elec, motor model 6K740N, IVSHP, $75. Amos S. Fisher, 220 Wm. Run Rd., Christiana, PA 17509. Belt pulley for JD 3020 & 4020. Also parts for 400 JH com planter. Somerset Co. 814-634-8856. 8N Ford new rear tires w/ over & under trans. hyd snow blade w/control hr. meter 3PT WF 3PT 2x12 plow. JD 2010 PS 3PT new paint 80% tires nice. Dau. Co. 717-652-5412. HENRY K. FISHER INC. Sandblasting & Spray Painting Aerial Ladder Equipment Farm Buildings Feed Mills Commercial • Industrial Repointing Inlerior/Exterior 667 Hartman Station Road Lancaster, PA 17601 717-393-6530 - 1 SPECIAL SALE • Heaviest Chain On The le • 360 Dtgitt Ttptf Loch Swtdgtd Pint ff Pint 7/8 Dltmtltr I r_ DOUBLE WIDE WEAR rJr~pi SHOE ') All types of chain avalist. FULL LINE BARN EQUIP II SALES ft SERVICE 1820 Millcraek Road, York, PA 1' (717) ■■▼▼in pea Hook link Cham Several issues were addressed at the annual leadership develop ment event including food safety, water quality, youth and families at risk, community vitality, sus tainable agriculture, environmen tal preservation, competitiveness in the international marketplace, biotechnology in agriculture and developing scientific talent for the 21st century. Several major speakers addressed the group of leaders including: Assistant Secretary of Agriculture Charles E. Hess; Pres ident and chief Executive Officer, Dr. Richard!. Sauer, National 4-H Council; and Vice President for Agriculture, Dr. Kenneth Farrell, University of California. 1989 App. filly - Grand Dandy/ Postmark - bred, chestnut coloring out, sup er disposition, ideal sport horse prospect. Reason able! Balto. 301-592-5564. V 8 engine from 1974 Int. Oliver 1650 gas NF 3 spd. nice $3750. Oliver 80 WF real nice $1550. Cumb Co. 717-776-3098 1971 GMC cab over V 6 5+2 16' stake body exc. cond. good rubber $2500. Chester Co. 215-363-1944. 17 Hereford beet cows, 8 bred Hereford-Charo. cross heifers, 3 bulls. Dau. Co. 717-469-0033 after 6PM. Nl 4 ton fert. spreader, tired but works. Or would make great trailer, 11.25x24 tires, $2OO. Sussex Co., NJ. 201-579-1292. Market At A Reasonable Price
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