New Bird Flu Strain Spreading Like Never Before, Officials Are Concerned

For doomsday preppers and fans of the end times, the current strain of bird flu is just the sort of thing that makes them squirrel away even more supplies. However, federal agriculture officials are concerned at how quickly the latest strain of bird flu is spreading – and they are not even completely sure how the virus is spreading so fast.

Time magazine, have suggested several options as to how this strain of bird flu (also known as H5N2) is spreading from farm to farm and infecting birds at such a rate that officials are now predicting a rise of as much as 75 per cent in the cost of a dozen eggs at the supermarket. Experts suggest the bird flu virus may be blowing in on dust particles or on the tires of cars and trucks travelling between farms. Some even suggest wild birds such as starlings and pigeons could be bringing it into bird enclosures via their feet or dust trapped in their wings.

So far the latest bird flu crisis has immobilized many poultry farms in 14 states, resulting in the slaughter of at least 39 million birds. Wisconsin is the state affected the most so far, with experts suspecting water birds as the culprits. However, the bird flu epidemic has gotten so bad, Governor Scott Walker has this week declared a state of emergency by calling on the National Guard for assistance.

“We must act quickly and efficiently to contain the outbreak and protect domestic poultry. It is important to note, however, there is no threat to humans with the avian flu outbreak.”

While the current bird flu crisis is not a threat to humans, it is still a threat to the many farmers who rely on poultry for an income. The best they can hope for is a sudden change in the weather. According to Dr. Jack Shere, associate deputy administrator at USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), if the current temperature rose to above 65 degrees, the rate of infection would slow as the bird flu virus dried out. If it were to get to above 85 degrees, the bird flu virus would be “practically dead”. However, Dr. Carol Cardona of the University of Minnesota is not counting all her chicks before they have hatched, warning the public that weather like that may not happen until July.

“Heating up will definitely kill the virus in the environment but in Minnesota that type of weather won’t typically happen until mid-July. The weather is going to help but it’s not a silver bullet.”

The US has been waiting for the bird flu threat to arrive in country since the H5N1 strain of bird flu spread from poultry to humans in 2003 and spread across the world.

“We have watched it spread over in Asia. It was only a matter of time before it came to us on the flyways. It showed up last fall, first in the form of H5N8, and a few cases of H5N1 – a different strain from the virus affecting people in Asia and the Middle East.”

Experts are now encouraging anyone entering farms or places where poultry are present to make sure they do no track in foreign dirt either on the soles of their shoes or via vehicles. It is also vitally import people wash their hands properly and disinfect their shoes. According to Dr. Jack Shere, you cannot be too careful when it comes to bird flu.

“I heard of a farm today where they don’t even allow folks to drive onto the farm. Workers must park, shower in a facility provided for them, change their clothes and get on a bus. Once on the farm, they shower and change again before entering their assigned buildings. That is pretty good biosecurity. We have to pull out all the stops. Even with the best biosecurity, we have to do better.”

However, it is not all doom and gloom when it comes to the current bird flu crisis. Consumer Affairs has just announced two new vaccines have been developed against bird flu. The addition of these new vaccines will help to diminish the potential threat of the bird flu transmitting from birds to humans. While this is an extra help on the strained poultry industry, it is not a failsafe, and people must still be vigilant while dealing with poultry.

[Image credit: Getty images / Daniel Berehulak]