Source: Michael Fielding, MEATINGPLACE, 9/22/15


Auburn University poultry scientists are investigating how the highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (HPAI), which has decimated some poultry populations (mostly egg and turkey farms) in the Midwest in the past nine months, spreads to poultry farms.

The virus is carried by infected but asymptomatic free-flying ducks, geese and other aquatic fowl migrating through Canada. Since December 2014, the highly pathogenic avian influenza virus has resulted in the death of more than 49 million commercial chickens and turkeys and backyard poultry in at least 15 states.

The predominant theory is that the virus enters poultry farms by means of fecal droppings and windborne feathers from infected waterfowl, but humans also can introduce the virus to farms on contaminated shoes, shared equipment and vehicles.

In their year-long study, Auburn Department of Poultry Science researchers Joe Giambrone and Ken Macklin are studying other potential sources of transmission.

“Possible additional means include rodents and insects that are infected with or are carrying the virus and infected poultry-house water lines from ponds visited by infected migratory birds, but there is no conclusive evidence now on any of those possibilities,” Giambrone said. “Our focus is on those three potential sources.”

They are looking at possible transmission of the virus by litter beetles, mice and the biofilm that forms inside the drinking-water lines of poultry houses. All three conditions are commonly found on poultry farms around the world.

“Our previous work with another respiratory virus in poultry showed that biofilm 'protected’ the virus in water lines, even when the water was chlorinated,” Giambrone added. That virus was also found on litter beetles and rats as well as in mud near the entrances to chicken houses.

The news comes as state agriculture officials in Illinois and Indiana are lifting bans on out-of-state poultry and poultry movement that were issued in the wake of the outbreaks of HPAI earlier this year.

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