Ask The Vet RadioShow Notes

Show #: 06-122

Show Description: "Bird Flu/ Agricultural Bioterrorism"

Audio Files: ATVR-06-122.mp3, ATVR-06-122.wma

Bird flu and agricultural bioterrorism are amongst a few of the most disastrous topics in the animal community.  Dr. Melissa Kennedy, Assistant Professor of Comparative Medicine from the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine, stopped by to inform listeners about the bird flu virus and the danger of human infection after contact with infected poultry (domesticated chicken, ducks, and turkeys).  Also, Dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Tennessee Dr. Michael Blackwell joined us for the second hour to discuss agricultural bioterrorism and how it relates to Veterinarians.  The Department of Homeland Security has granted the College and partnering institutions a 2 million dollar Competitive Training Grant that will fund the development and delivery of an agricultural vulnerability assessment training program.  This program will aid in the prevention and deterrence of deliberate contamination in the US agricultural and food processing system. 

Show Notes and Resources:

In-Studio Guest: Dr. Melissa Kennedy, Assistant Professor of Comparative Medicine from the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine

  • Dr. Kennedy informed listeners that veterinarian medicine is much more diversified than most people are aware.  Veterinarians work with the FDA on site to do inspections and work with outbreaks of herds to prevent the spread of diseases and bacteria to other animals and humans.  Though the bird flu affects birds mostly, cats have also been diagnosed.  Veterinarians work with bird farmers and wild birds to help aid in the fight against the bird flu virus.
  • Birds are the reservoir for all influenza viruses, particularly water fowl and wading birds.  Birds tend to be a primary source for influenza viruses spreading to all species, including humans.  The HN51 bird flu strand is the virus that has recently received much attention in the news; however there is no danger to the United States at this time.  If the virus did penetrate the US, feeding perch birds and song birds would not be considered a high risk for contracting the virus.  Water fowl are the primary source.  Even though this particular virus is not yet a threat to the US, birds can still transmit other harmful diseases.  Take precautions when handling and cleaning bird feeders.
  • Migratory water fowl are under active surveillance and screening to enable a quick detection.  The virus can also spread through bird trade from infected countries.  In addition, humans that have been exposed to the virus can also carry it in.   
  • Birds shed viruses not only through the respiratory system like humans, but also through their feces.  Viruses can linger in the environment anywhere from a few days to three weeks; cooler weather seems to allow the virus to survive for longer periods of time than warmer weather allows.
  • Mutation can occur in influenza.  This is the primary concern for the virus spreading to the human population.  The virus is spread from bird to cat with heightened exposure of the virus, such as if a cat ingests infected birds from the environment.  Though the virus doesn’t seem to travel easily from cat to cat, humans can get it with enough exposure to the infected animals.  Human to human spread has yet to occur.  
  • There are no vaccines available commercially at this time.  There have been many trials and consultations for developing a vaccine, but the virus will change drastically if it begins to spread from human to human thus altering the vaccine requirements.  Since spread from human to human has yet to occur, vaccinations to prevent this type of incident are difficult to develop.  If you are traveling to a country that has suffered from a bird flu outbreak, such as Vietnam and Indonesia, stay away from the live animal market.  Use sanitizer generously and only eat well cooked food.  In Asia, in particular, stay away from poultry in live bird markets.  To learn more information on the bird flu virus, visit www.cdc.gov or www.pandemicflu.gov. 

In-Studio Guest: Dr. Michael Blackwell, Dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Tennessee

  • The University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine and partnering institutions was awarded a 2 million dollar Competitive Training Grant from the Department of Homeland Security.  This grant will allow the College to serve the entire nation with the development of a training program for people involved in the food industry (through farms, transportation, processing plants, and retail) to assess vulnerability in their respective operations.  People in the food industry will be able to recognize where in their systems of operation terrorists would most likely target and could do the most damage.  Once these problems are recognized, they can be changed to prevent agricultural bioterrorism.  The 2 year grant is finishing up the first year and plans to implement the program throughout the nation’s food industry for the remaining year.  This program will teach the industry to observe and constantly screen everything to identify bioterrorism.
  • The primary concern for bioterrorism is biological agents, bacteria, and all viral infections that affect people.  The United States, especially after 9/11, has taken serious strides to improve the response if bioterrorism should occur.  For example, veterinary diagnostic laboratories network with the public health laboratories to exchange information quickly, thus identifying any unusual activity in humans and animals.  The key for handling bioterrorism is to develop a proper monitoring system to detect a problem and then quickly diagnose it. 
  • Veterinarians play a key role in the fight against bioterrorism by working with the USDA, aiding in governmental research, and protecting the food supply from contaminated livestock before it transfers into the food supply.  The problem with diseases that can transfer to humans from animals is that veterinarians must use severe precautions to prevent the spread of the disease to themselves or other animals after handling infected animals.  Food and mouth disease, for example, is one devastating disease that requires all potentially exposed animals to be destroyed, in addition to the decontamination of the environment and the reestablishment of stability. 
  • Only about 6% of the nation’s population is involved with providing food, thus the majority of Americans have been removed from the process for decades.  Most Americans do not understand the different elements that go into safely ensuring a high quality of food and nourishment with relative affordability.  Though most cities are considerably well stocked with food, no city in the United States has more than a 7 day supply of food.  With all of the grocery chains and food sources available, one may find it hard to imagine that in 7 days the food supply would be devastatingly depleted.  Shelves empty fast when prompted by disaster which is why a strong partnership between governmental authorities and veterinarians is necessary in preventing the disaster of agricultural bioterrorism. 

Rescue of the Week: The Small Breed Rescue of East Tennessee

  • The Small Breed Rescue of East Tennessee is a non-profit organization dedicated to finding forever homes for displaced or abandoned small breed dogs.  They are also dedicated to educating the public about pet overpopulation, the benefits of spaying/neutering, and the horrors of puppy mills.  To view available dogs, donate to a rescued dog’s medical expenses, or find more information about this rescue, you can visit www.sbret.com or find them on the Ask The Vet Radio rescue page!