Idaho Agencies Focus on Bird Flu Watch

Three of Idaho's largest state agencies are working together as a wild bird surveillance program is launched for the H5N1 bird-borne influenza. "Bird flu" efforts are being coordinated between the departments of Fish and Game, Health and Welfare, and Agriculture. The three have joined forces as the Department of Fish and Game begins sampling wild bird populations on September 1. Dr. Mark Drew, a veterinarian shared by Fish and Game and the Agriculture department, coordinates animal aspects of the effort. Notice of possible human health effects and subsequent actions will be coordinated by Health and Welfare Epidemiologist Dr. Leslie Tengelsen, along with Idaho's district health departments. Veterinary science recognizes 144 types of avian (bird) influenza existing in bird populations around the world. Most are not harmful to people, but one type, H5N1, has generated concern and considerable media coverage after causing severe illness and fatalities among birds and people in Asia in recent years. The H5N1 type has not yet been found in the U.S. "We may not discover Asian H5N1 avian influenza subtype in wild birds this year in Idaho, however, we know it is spreading throughout the world and we eventually anticipate seeing it," Dr. Tengelsen said. "We will probably discover other minor subtypes of avian influenza that do not pose a human health risk, but it is better to be vigilant and proactive." Fish and Game's plan for detecting H5N1 includes taking biological samples when wild birds are caught and banded, sampling wild ducks in hunters' bags this fall at special check stations, and staying in close touch with other states within the Pacific Flyway. The Flyway organization, comprising state and federal wildlife agencies, is a major American monitor of H5N1 flu. Most observers expect H5N1 will enter the United States through Alaska from Siberia. Alaska instituted a comprehensive H5N1 surveillance program earlier this summer but has found no evidence of the bird-borne virus to date. "Just like West Nile virus, we expect H5N1 virus will eventually be found in certain wild birds in Idaho," Tengelsen said. "Contact with infected wild birds is unlikely to lead to widespread human infection, but hunters and others in direct physical contact with wild birds should take some simple precautions." These include wearing gloves when cleaning and dressing birds, hand-washing frequently after handling birds and before eating, drinking, or touching your hands to your face. "All poultry that is thoroughly cooked is considered safe to eat," Tengelsen continues. "Cooking poultry at 165 degrees kills all viruses. People also should disinfect surfaces in the kitchen where raw poultry has been prepared to reduce the chance of illness." Further information is available at http://fishandgame.idaho.gov, www.pandemicflu.gov, and www.healthandwelfare.idaho.gov.