D2-Lincnter Farming, Saturday, June 24, 1995
AVIAN INFLUENZA
Barrett S. Cowen, MS
Dept. Of
Veterinary Science
Avian influenza (A. 1.) is a con
stant threat to the commercial
poultry industries of Pennsylvania,
the nation and the world.
A.I. in chickens, turkeys, guinea
fowl, ducks, and other migratory
waterfowl can range from an infec
tion with no signs of disease to an
acute fatal disease.
When one focuses on the com
mercial poultry industry, that seg
ment of the U.S. industry which
has historically been at greatest
risk for A.I. has been the turkey
industry because of the manage
ment practices followed (such as
open-range rearing). In the case of
commercial chicken/egg produc
tion, A.I. has only been a sporadic
problem because of confinement
rearing practices.
Risk of A.I. in these production
sectors is directly related to oppor
tunity for and frequency of expo
sure to avian influenza virus (AIV)
for example, high for range
reared turkeys and low for chick
ens reared in confinement
AI is caused by type A avian
influenza viruses which have two
different surface structures com
posed of hemagglutinin (HA) and
neuraminidase (NA), of which
there are 14 and 9 subtypes,
respectively. In turkeys. A.I. is
usually a mild to moderate respir
atory or reproductive disease
caused by numbers of different HA
and NA subtypes, but can be con
siderably more severe (up to 77
percent mortality) in poults when
secondary pathogens (for exam
ple, e. coli) are involved. A.I. in
chickens can also be caused by
several different subtypes of AIV
and can be symptomless, mild, or
very severe with signs ranging
from decreased activity and egg
production, respiratory distress,
diarrhea, swelling of the face and
head, nervous disorders and high
mortality.
The most severe form of this
disease is called “highly pathogen
ic A.I. (HPAI)” and has been most
frequently associated with H 5 and
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follow the terrain contour.
H 7 subtypes of AIV.
AIV may be transmitted directly
through contact with infected birds
or indirectly through contact with
contaminated feed, water, equip
ment, cages, insects or motor vehi
cles. Transmission has also been
associated with live bird markets,
haulers, dealers, and auctions.
Humans are also frequently
involved in flock-to-flock spread
of AIV through movement of con
taminated clothing, footwear, or
other items.
Only a few documented out
breaks of HPAI have occurred in
poultry in the last 20 years. The
1983-84 outbreak of HSN2 in Pen
nsylvania was the first HPAI in the
US since 1929. More recently,
HPAI has been reported in Austra
lia (198 S, 1992) and England
(1991). Currently HPAI outbreaks
are in progress in Mexico (HS sub
type) and Pakistan (H 7 subtype).
Such information confirms that no
area of the world is immune to this
potentially devastating disease of
poultry.
The outbreak of A.I. in Mexico
creates some risk for the introduc
tion of HPAI or potentially highly
pathogenic A.I. into
U.S./Pennsylvania poultry, but
this risk is probably considerably
smaller than the ongoing threat of
AIV introduction presented by
wild birds, particularly migratory
waterfowl (an important AIV
reservoir).
In general, there are four sour
ces of primary AIV infection in
domestic poultry: wild birds, other
species of domestic poultry, exotic
captive birds, and mammals (such
as swine). Wild birds, primarily
waterfowl, historically have been
incriminated in A.I. outbreaks.
Surveillance of waterfowl and
shorebirds has demonstrated that a
large AIV reservoir does exist in
these birds, as antibodies to nearly
every AIV subtype have been
detected. Although confined poul
try are generally at less risk of AIV
exposure, it can occur, especially if
a pond or other waterfowl habitat
is located on the premises.
Another important source of
AIV infection for the commercial
poultry industry is other species of
domestic poultry, especially those
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construction.
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adjusting the arms so that
the crop may not get
entangled.
sold at auctions and in live bird
markets. AIV exposed domestic
birds or environments contami
nated by them (e.g„ live bird mark
ets) are potential sources of AIV
for Pennsylvania’s commercial
poultry industry. A good example
of this threat was the documented
HSN2 outbreak in commercial
poultry of Pennsylvania in
1985-1986 which was traced back
to a New York City live bird
market.
Biosecurity and surveillance are
key ingredients in the prevention
and control of A.I. Good biosecuri
ty practices should reduce the risk
of A.I. or other important poultry
disease introduction and spread.
Although optimal biosecurity
practices cannot be followed in all
poultry premises, the ideal prac
tices should include:
• “All-in, all-out” poultry
management
• Removal of all organic mater
ial followed by the cleaning and
disinfection of houses between
flocks.
* Prevent poultry from coming
in contact with stored equipment
or trash.
• Keep other animals, such as
pets, wildlife and livestock, out of
contact with poultry.
• Maintain locks on poultry
houses and gates on farm access
roads.
• Clean and disinfect motor
vehicles prior to coming to the
premises.
• Keep human traffic to a mini
mum and permit only necessary
personnel into poultry houses.
• Require that clean coveralls
and disinfected boots be worn by
all personnel entering poultry
houses.
• Require persons having recent
contact with other poultry to show
er before entering your poultry
houses.
• Thoroughly clean and disin
fect any equipment used within a
poultry house.
Wild birds, and domestic birds
in live bird markets, are ongoing
sources of AIV and a potential
threat of HPAI for Pennsylvania’s
large commercial poultry industry.
Such a threat demands a constant
surveillance program for this
important industry.
Pennsylvania’s A.I. surveil
lance program is one of the best in
the U.S. and insures poultry pro
ducers that A.I. is not circulating
undetected in their flocks. Maxi-
FARM
EQUIPMENT
10V4' Bush Hog mower,
excellent condition.
304/725-5323.
110 hp Iveco engine, good
running condition, $2500.
717/687-8266 8-B:3oam.
16* packing line, includes
the 4' receiver belt, brusher
washer, sponge absorber,
(2) sizing units, and 5' turn
table. Used 20' aluminum
produce conveyor $575.
New 28' produce conveyor
$1,200. New 20 bushel
produce bins, $32; 10 or
more $3O. (717)532-5918.
1937 AC Tractor-Model
W-C Runs. $800; 1928
McCormick Deering Trac
tor Model 30-15 with Steel
Wheels, Cast Iron Steering
Wheel. Restorable. $7OO.
(717)463-2347.
1947 John Deere A; Ford
BN. 717-336-2497 after
4PM.
mum participation in the program
is important if maximum
reliability/beneflt is to be realized.
Therefore, it is very important that
the industry submit sick birds to
their regional state diagnostic
laboratory in a timely fashion and
that samples for testing be for
warded to the appropriate labor
atories on a regular basis.
Further, the Pennsylvania
ENGLEWOOD. Colo.
Youth from seven Midwestern
states made for stiff competition at
the 1995 Heartland Regional
Junior Limousin Show in Council
Bluffs, lowa on June 1-3.
A 984-pound Limousin steer
exhibited by Andrea Luedtke,
Wisner, Neb. was named grand
champion steer by judge Neal
Thompson of Springfield, Mo.
Reserve champion steer honors
went to a 996-pound steer exhibit
ed by Adam Nielson, Arlington,
S.D.
Debra Voithmann, McClelland,
lowa joined the winner’s circle
with the grand champion bred and
owned bull, VORD Donitello
435 D. The 9/1/94 bull is sired by
YKCC Top Cop 2328.
SLVL Angel Cookie 140 D, ex
hibited by Jamie Straight, Logan,
lowa, won grand champion fe
male after topping Division in.
The 1/23/94 female is a daughter
of Wulf's Quarterback 42228.
Also from Division m, taking re
serve champion female honors
was SLVL Senorita, a 2/6/94
daughter of Polled Sonic exhibited
by Karen Harrod, Flat Rock, Ind.
In Division I, Debra Voithmann
exhibited VORD Daniella 42SD
BUY. SELL. TBADE OB BENT THROUGH THE
PHONE: 717-626-1164 or 717-304-3047
FAX 717-733-6058
Mon., Tuea., Wed., Fri. 8 AM to 5 PM; Thun. 7 AM to 5 PM
1948 Massey Harris pony,
new front rubber, all attach
ments w/wood cutting ca
pacity, Ist $l5OO cash; af
ter spm 717/249-7156.
1950 JO B, restored to im
maculate condition, $5500.
717/684-4723.
1970 Mack tractor w/87
Rogers 35 ton 10-boy.
Ready to roll. Excellent
condition, $9900.
302-737-3800.
1973 JO 544 4WD Loader
w/Cab, 0 Hours on New JO
Diesel, Rebuilt Trans.,
New Hydraulic Pump and
Lines, 4Yd. Bucket w/
Grapples, Solid Tires, Ex
cellent Condition.
(800)240-7543 Carl
Hosier.
1979 MF 550 combine,
4WD, hydrostatic, 16' float
ing grain table w/UII Reel,
1144 wide row corn head,
shed kept, field ready,
$13,000. 410-742-0510 af
ter 6PM.
lowa, Neb. Youth
Exhibit Limousin
Champions
help v OoßseV .E
1981 JD 5820 SP chopper,
farmer owned, 3600 hrs.,
4-wheel drive, new knives
and checked over,
$42,500. 3x40 head, near
new chains, good, $1,500.
3x40 head, Tow acreage,
not used much, $2,950.
5Vi ‘ pickup $5OO. Roeder
Implement, Seneca, KS
(913)336-6103.
1991 equipment trailer,
28'x8', Blair gooseneck
flatbed. Adjustable beaver
tail, factory winch, low
miles, excellent condition.
Don't miss this onel New
$B9OO, asking $5900.
201-579-1226.
1993 Belarus 310 4WO
38HP w/Loader and Back
hqe, 240 Hours. $13,000.
(717)864-3202.
1993 John Deere 7700
tractor, MFWD, cab, PS,
1(00 hr*., asking $55,000.
814-473-6174.
Department of Agriculture (PDA)
asks that producers of broilers,
turkeys, and roasters submit 10
blood samples per flock for AIV
antibody testing. Ten eggs per
month per house are recommended
for commercial layers and mature
breeder flocks. PDA also monitors
and samples auctions, poultry
shows, and live bird markets in
Philadelphia for the presence of
AIV.
to championship honors. The
4/5/94 female is a daughter of
YKCC Top Cop 2328, Reserve
champion honors in Division 1
went to C L Gretchen, a 9/12/94
daughter of Wulf*s Rambler
8400 X exhibited by Billy Biscoe,
Cottage Grove, Minn.
Erica Vorthmann, McClelland,
lowa led out the top in Division II
with VORT Delight 417 D. a
3/21/94 daughter of LKCC Toma
hawk’s Touchdown. For reserve
champion in Division 11. judge
Thompson selected ROMN Dom
inique ID, a 3/28/94 daughter of
YKCC Medallion 342 Y exhibited
by Adam Nielson.
In the showmanship competi
tion, senior champion honors went
to Debra Vorthmann while junior
champion honors went to Andrea
Luedtke.
Outside the show arena, youth
participated in public speaking,
extemporaneous speaking and
sales talk contests to accumulate
points, in addition to points earned
for showing, for overall sweep
stakes awards. Topping the
sweepstakes divisions were junior
- Megan Rolf, Leroy, Kan.; inter
mediate - Jamie Straight; and
senior - Debra Vorthmann.
1994 JD 6810 4X4 w/
Model 4500 Kemper Head,
400 Hours, Some Warranty
Remaining. $157,500.
(704)289-1040.
2120 Ford, 4WD, 7588,
backhoe, 7109 loader, 450
hours, shuttle trans.,
$19,900, (717)647-9020.
2350 Gehl discfaine, field
ready, $1 750.
717-445-5725.
26 row FMC spray booms,
complete with cylinders,
hydraulic controls. Asking
$2,000. Call anytime, leave
message. Mains
207-435-6029.
#4O John Deere Manure
Spreader, excellent condi
tion, back sweeps for JO A
or B. Call evenings
717/677-4212.
4400 diesel combine, rot
ary screen, 3665 hours.
A/C, 215 rigid head, 13'
bean head, 443 com head.
(717)667-2783.