Source: MEATINGPLACE, 6/18/15

Lapses in biosecurity practices and transmission of virus particles by air likely played a role in the recent spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) at West Coast and Midwest farms, USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) said in a newly released report.

APHIS released its initial findings, based on investigations at over 80 commercial poultry farms, ahead of a July meeting between industry, USDA and state animal health officials that will focus specifically on biosecurity.

While wild birds were the original pathway for the virus into the United States, evidence shows clusters of farms were affected by identical viruses, and genetic analysis of the HPAI viruses suggest transmission between farms occurred concurrently in several states, APHIS said.

The agency's scientists observed sharing of equipment between an infected and non-infected farm, employees moving between infected and non-infected farms and prominent lack of disinfection of vehicles moving between farms.

In addition, APHIS said it collected air samples outside of infected poultry houses that contained virus particles, indicating that the disease could be transmitted by air. An analysis of wind data showed a relationship between sustained high winds and an increase in the number of infected farms about five days later.

APHIS said it cannot yet link HPAI transmission with any factor in a statistically significant way, but it would provide updates as more analyses are completed.

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