Poultry
Avian influenza (AI) viruses are probably ubiquitous in wild water birds. Pathogenic strains could emerge and cause disease in domestic poultry in any country at any time without warning. In fact, outbreaks have occurred at irregular intervals on all continents. The most serious epidemic in recent times was in Hong Kong 1997-1998 and 2003, The Netherlands 2003, South-Korea 2003.
Once AI is established in domestic poultry, it is a highly contagious disease and wild birds are no longer an essential ingredient for spread. Infected birds excrete virus in high concentration in their feces and also in nasal and ocular discharges. The disease generally spreads rapidly in a flock by direct contact, but on occasions spread is erratic. Once introduced into a flock, the virus is spread from flock to flock by the usual methods involving the movement of infected birds, contaminated equipment, egg flats, feed trucks, and service crews, to mention a few.
In highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), the type traditionally associated with “fowl plague”, the disease appears suddenly in a flock and many birds die either without noticeable signs, or with minimal signs of depression, inappetence, ruffled feathers and fever. Other birds show weakness and a staggering gait. Hens may at first lay soft-shelled eggs, but soon stop laying. Sick birds often sit or stand in a semi-comatose state with their heads touching the ground. Combs and wattles are cyanotic (purplish or dark-colored) and swollen, and may have small hemorrhages at their tips. Profuse watery diarrhea is frequently present and birds are excessively thirsty. Respiration may be labored. Hemorrhages may occur on unfeathered areas of skin. The mortality rate is generally high, varying from 50 to 100%.
Less severe forms of the disease (low pathogenic AI) may be confused with, or complicated by, many other diseases with respiratory or intestinal signs. AI should be suspected in any disease outbreak in poultry that persists despite the application of preventive and therapeutic measures for other disease agents.
There are several possible avenues of entry for highly-pathogenic avian influenza to enter the United States. One obvious concern is the migratory waterfowl that travel through the western United States after sharing nesting grounds in Alaska and Siberia with birds from the Asian flyways. But the disease could also be carried in with birds imported, legally or otherwise, from countries where the disease currently exists. It is even possible that the disease could be introduced purposefully as an act of agro-terrorism.
Several things are being done to help prepare for the possible introduction of HPAI. Wild bird and domestic poultry testing is being done in the state. Educational programs are being presented throughout the State Of New Mexico. The New Mexico Livestock Board is working actively with several New Mexico State agencies to establish effective avenues of public communication, awareness and preparedness for HPAI.
To help protect your pet birds and domestic poultry you should try to:
- Keep birds healthy, isolate sick birds from healthy birds
- Know source of all birds added to flock
- Keep bird living quarters clean
- Disinfect contaminated surfaces with dilute bleach
- Protect domestic fowl from contact with wild fowl
- Report unusual patterns of illness/death
If you observe a large number of your domestic poultry showing signs of illness or a large portion of your flock dead you should report the findings to:
- U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) - 866-536-7593 or 505-761-3160
- New Mexico Veterinary Diagnostic Services - 505-841-2576
- New Mexico Livestock Board - 505-841-6161
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| © This site is a collaborative effort of the New Mexico Department of Health, the New Mexico Cooperative Extension Service, the New Mexico Department of Agriculture, the New Mexico Livestock Board, and the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish.
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