Article by Patsy Hamilton
Many people are concerned about and interested in avian influenza. USA government agencies and public health officials throughout the world are keeping a close eye on a deadly strain of avian influenza that is currently circulating in Asia, Africa and Europe. Thus far, the strain identified as H5N1 has not appeared in North or South America, though other strains of the virus have been found in poultry in the Americas. In the case of H5N1 influenza, avian injury and death has been substantial. Poultry farms have only seen weaker strains of the virus in the United States, but several flocks of chickens have had to be destroyed because of it.
In hopes of preventing widespread avian influenza, USA government agencies including the US Geologic Survey and the Department of agriculture have joined together to test wild birds for the H5N1 strain. Wild birds infect domesticated birds with the virus by intermingling with them and contaminating their water supplies. Humans that are in close contact with poultry must use special precautions to avoid becoming infected. H5N1 has caused the deaths of 140 people to date. Countries throughout the world are making efforts to inform the public about safety practices that can prevent human cases of this type of influenza, avian injury and poultry losses.
Scientists expect to eventually see the H5N1 bird flu in America, but it might not show up. The concern is that migratory birds from Asia could pass the H5N1 strain to migratory birds from the Americas when they both gather in Alaska. So, the avian influenza USA situation is currently focused on Alaska. Scientists believe that if they can identify H5N1 bird flu in America when it first appears, then they can contain it, before it becomes a problem to the poultry industries in the Americas.
For the prevention of avian influenza, USA agencies involved will test feces and feather samples from