Avian influenza found in South Carolina

[Molpet]

https://www.nprillinois.org/illinoi...ds-after-avian-flu-cases-in-southern-illinois
300 geese in southern Illinois and it's not listed.

 

[raingarden]

The 2022 Detections in Wild Birds shows the HPAI strain. It's usually EA H5N1, but not always. So, it seems the incidents on their list have all been tested. That would also imply that incidences that have not been tested are not on their incident list.

Maybe APHIS is burnt out from the work load. During covid we've seen the same thing happen to some of our other institutions/industries/organizations. We have experience accepting new horrible diseases in our midst

 

[RoyalChick]

well, I found an article that I thought was interesting on bird flu in NC.
https://chathamnewsrecord.com/stori...urges-residents-to-be-aware-of-bird-flu,15030

6th paragraph down :

"
Raper said he asked officials at N.C. Wildlife Resources if the deceased birds needed to be sent off for testing to determine if they indeed had bird flu. The state said testing isn’t needed when it comes to wild birds.

Despite not knowing for certain if the buzzards died from bird flu, Raper said town staff are treating the situation as if it were confirmed to be."

so my question is, where does APHIS get their info. on wild birds if testing isn't necessary?
looks like none listed at the USDA APHIS site since mid November per NC.

This is a worry I expressed way back on this thread because there was no information about the testing practices in each state.
My concern was that back then I didn’t find it credible that NJ had so few wild bird cases when all the states around us were reporting cases. My theory was that NJ might not be testing very diligently but couldn’t find any info on that.
If you don’t test you won’t find cases giving a possibility false sense of security to all of us trying to manage our flocks.
Frustrating.

 

[Molpet]

I didn't realize USDA had a list of mammals with AI . https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/ou...n/avian-influenza/hpai-2022/2022-hpai-mammals

Oppossum in my state

 

[Sally PB]

Checking that site, there were 16 cases reported in Michigan. None in my county; the closest was a couple counties away. Almost all were Red Fox, with one raccoon and one coyote.

 

[NanaK]

I didn't realize USDA had a list of mammals with AI . https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/ou...n/avian-influenza/hpai-2022/2022-hpai-mammals

Oppossum in my state

Yes, getting to be quite a list now too. I've read some articles saying it's happening in Europe also.

 

[NanaK]

H5n6 in a wild bird in Canada.

https://www.wattagnet.com/articles/46387-first-case-of-h5n6-avian-flu-confirmed-in-canada

 

[Molpet]

Got an email from USDA

USDA Developing New Tools to Identify COVID Virus in Wild and Domestic Animals
WASHINGTON, Dec. 21, 2022 – U.S. Department of Agriculture scientists are developing new tests and tools to identify and track the COVID virus and its variants in wild and domestic animals.



USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is currently implementing a $300 million provision in the American Rescue Plan Act to monitor susceptible animals for the COVID virus. Through this initiative, APHIS is partnering with USDA’s Agricultural Research Service (ARS) on five research projects to improve understanding of the virus and to help USDA accomplish its goal of building an early warning system to potentially prevent or limit the next zoonotic disease outbreak or global pandemic.



“This investment ensures we are taking the steps necessary to safeguard our nation's animal health—and further, public health,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. “Scientific research undergirds USDA's programs and policies. The new tools and data generated from this research will provide the insights necessary to accelerate our understanding of the COVID virus and help us build a more resilient national capacity to address future disease threats.”



Two of the projects call for developing easy-to-use field tests to quickly identify COVID infection in wildlife and domestic animals. In two other projects, field and laboratory studies will determine how long the virus persists in deer and whether deer or elk can serve as an intermediate animal host in which COVID virus can survive in the wild and potentially mutate into new variants. The fifth project is developing a cell line model that will let researchers better predict which animal species may act as hosts or reservoirs for COVID virus.



Through these and other efforts, USDA is working to implement a risk-based, comprehensive, integrated disease monitoring and surveillance system domestically, and enhance collaborations with national, regional, and global One Health partners to build additional capacity for zoonotic disease surveillance and prevention.



USDA touches the lives of all Americans each day in so many positive ways. In the Biden-Harris Administration, USDA is transforming America’s food system with a greater focus on more resilient local and regional food production, fairer markets for all producers, ensuring access to safe, healthy, and nutritious food in all communities, building new markets and streams of income for farmers and producers using climate smart food and forestry practices, making historic investments in infrastructure and clean energy capabilities in rural America, and committing to equity across the Department by removing systemic barriers and building a workforce more representative of America. To learn more, visit www.usda.gov.

 

[Folly's place]

Today here: AI found in a backyard flock in Sanilac county, Michigan.
Mary

 

[TooCheep]

Got an email from USDA

USDA Developing New Tools to Identify COVID Virus in Wild and Domestic Animals
WASHINGTON, Dec. 21, 2022 – U.S. Department of Agriculture scientists are developing new tests and tools to identify and track the COVID virus and its variants in wild and domestic animals.

Sigh... Just posting this for future reference.

This is the first step towards requiring mRNA treatments of domestic animals for human consumption.

Edit: It will be wider than just poultry.