U.S.: USDA final tests confirm low-pathogenic H5N1 in Maryland
submited by kickingbird at Sep, 13, 2006 15:0 PM from USDA
The USDA National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL) confirmed the presence of the "North American strain" of low pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza through virus isolation in samples collected from the resident wild mallards in Queen Anne´s County, Maryland. Test results announced on September 1 indicated that an H5N1 avian influenza subtype was present in nine of the collected samples, but further testing was necessary to confirm pathogenicity. As previously announced, genetic testing ruled out the possibility that the samples carried the specific highly pathogenic strain of H5N1 avian influenza that is circulating overseas.
Low pathogenic strains of avian influenza commonly occur in wild birds and typically cause only minor sickness or no noticeable signs of disease in birds. Low pathogenic H5N1 is very different from the more severe highly pathogenic H5N1 circulating in parts of Asia, Europe and Africa. Highly pathogenic strains of avian influenza spread rapidly and are often fatal to chickens and turkeys.
The Departments of Agriculture and Interior are working collaboratively with States and academic institutions to sample wild birds throughout the United States for the presence of highly pathogenic avian influenza. More than 21,000 wild birds have been tested so far this year and none have been infected with highly pathogenic avian influenza.
- USCDC: Avian Influenza A(H5N1) U.S. Situation Update and CDC Activities 18 hours ago
- USCDC: Urgent field correction notice 1 days ago
- Joint FAO/WHO/WOAH preliminary assessment of recent influenza A(H5N1) viruses 2 days ago
- Primers and probes for H5 and N1 qRT-PCR detection [CNIC] 3 days ago
- USDA: Actions to Protect Livestock Health From Highly Pathogenic H5N1 Avian Influenza 4 days ago
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