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We use
signs such as "KEEP OUT," "NO TRESPASSING," and
"NO ADMITTANCE" to keep people out of places they do not need to
be. For even more security, we use locked gates, locked doors, high fences
with barbed wire at the top, and guards posted at entrances to restricted
facilities. If you have traveled on a commercial airline in the past few
years, you know how security personnel scrutinize everything that is
brought onto the plane to make sure that nothing that could potentially
harm the aircraft or other passengers is allowed. Unfortunately, none of
these measures will keep the Avian Influenza virus out of our borders.
There are,
however, strategic actions that have been put into place by the USDA, as
well as by individual states, that will help minimize the risk of the
virus entering our country. For example, no poultry or poultry products
are allowed in the United States from countries that have Avian Influenza.
However, the risk cannot be completely negated, even by the most sound
prevention practices. In a world where a person can be at a live bird
market in China today and back at his home here in the U. S. tomorrow, we
must remain vigilant and ready to respond quickly and decisively if highly
pathogenic Avian Influenza that has plagued many countries in Asia and
other parts of the world occurs here.
So, what
are we doing about Avian Influenza in Alabama? The big picture of our
Avian Influenza program has three components: 1) an early warning or
surveillance program; 2) an emergency response plan; 3) a public education
program.
Alabama has
had an Avian Influenza surveillance program since 1980 through our
veterinary diagnostic laboratory system. Testing has increased in 1988,
1994, 2002, and 2005. There is another increase planned for 2006. These
tests are performed on both commercial and backyard flocks. During fiscal
year 2005, there were 62,525 birds tested from 4,489 flocks. Out of these,
429 noncommercial flocks were tested, including birds from backyard
flocks, auctions, flea markets and other groupings of poultry. All tests
have been negative.
Our
diagnostic labs are equipped with state-of-the-art diagnostics that allow
for very rapid tests results including virus isolation, DNA tests and
serologic blood tests. The laboratory system has five board-certified
specialists in poultry diseases who routinely conduct post mortem
examinations on poultry and other birds. There are five laboratory
veterinarians and one animal industry staff veterinarian as well as four
USDA veterinarians in the state who have trained at the Foreign Animal
Disease Facility at Plum Island, New York. The training at that facility
includes hands-on training with highly pathogenic Avian Influenza.
Therefore, we are actively looking for and have the ability to recognize
and diagnose the disease if it does occur in Alabama.
Secondly,
we have a written detailed response plan as to how we in the state of
Alabama will respond if Avian Influenza occurs either in Alabama or in
some other state. This plan spells out such areas as quarantines, stop
movements, testing, carcass disposal, and other regulatory issues
involving highly pathogenic Avian Influenza. The Alabama Department of
Agriculture and Industries, through the State Department of Homeland
Security is purchasing personal protective equipment (PPE) that would
allow our field personnel to work with infected flocks. We are currently
in the process of enhancing the plan to include input from the Alabama
Department of Public Health. Our department has also participated in a
number of exercises that involved a pretend outbreak of Avian Influenza.
The final
component of our program is that of public education. While there is
absolutely no way to predict the outcome of a highly pathogenic Avian
Influenza outbreak, we feel that it is vitally important to keep the
public informed about the factual aspects of the disease. It is difficult
to sort through all of the information that comes from virtually every
media outlet in order to make sense of it all.
Recently,
Commissioner Sparks and the Alabama Department of Public Health conducted
a press conference to answer questions about the disease. The Department
also produces press releases when significant Avian Influenza information
is generated that could affect the state. We are also in the process of
putting together a brochure containing facts about the disease. That
brochure will be made available to various outlets through out the state
early next year.
So, while
we hope that highly pathogenic Avian Influenza does not visit our borders,
we are not sitting on our hands waiting to see what happens. We are on the
front line watching for and preparing for the disease. And, yes we do
carry a four-leaf clover for good luck.
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