<http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usdahome?contentidonly=true&contentid=2006/
08/0294.xml>
 
There is also the possibility that the swans had two simultaneous viruses
rather than the one with both components; that will known about in 2
weeks.
 
Here is the Press Release:
Release No. 0294.06
Contact:
USDA Press Office (202) 720-4623
DOI Press Office (202) 208-6416
 
CONFIRMATORY TESTS BEING CONDUCTED ON MICHIGAN WILD BIRD SAMPLES
 
WASHINGTON, August, 14, 2006-The U.S.  Departments of Agriculture and
Interior today announced that routine surveillance has indicated the
presence of H5 and N1 avian influenza subtypes in samples from two wild
mute swans in Michigan, but testing has ruled out the possibility of this
being the highly pathogenic H5N1 strain that has spread through birds in
Asia, Europe and Africa.  Test results thus far indicate this is low
pathogenicity avian influenza, which poses no threat to human health.
 
The swans were sampled as part of the expanded avian influenza
surveillance program.  They were showing no signs of sickness, which
suggests that this is low pathogenicity avian influenza.  Additionally,
genetic analysis of the virus conducted at USDA's National Veterinary
Services laboratories (NVSL) in Ames, Iowa, suggests that it is similar
to a low pathogenicity strain that has been found in North America.
 
It is possible that these birds were not infected with an H5N1 strain,
but instead with two separate avian influenza viruses, one containing H5
and the other containing N1.  The confirmatory testing underway at NVSL
will clarify whether one or more strains of the virus are present, the
specific subtype, as well as pathogenicity.  These results are expected
within two weeks and will be made public when completed.  It should be
noted that wild birds are known to harbor many influenza viruses, and
the finding of one or more of these viruses during routine testing is
not unusual.
 
The swans were sampled August 8 at the Mouillee state game area located
on the coast of Lake Erie in Monroe County, Michigan.  The samples were
taken by USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service personnel as
part of an expanded wild bird monitoring program.  The Departments of
Agriculture and Interior are working collaboratively with States to
sample wild birds throughout the United States for the presence of highly
pathogenic avian influenza.
 
Initial screening tests on the swan samples were conducted by Michigan
State University's Diagnostic Center for Population and Animal
Health--part of USDA's National Animal Health Laboratory Network.
These tests indicated the presence of an H5 avian influenza virus.
Confirmatory testing at NVSL confirmed the H5 and the N1.  This testing
also suggests, but has not yet confirmed, that this is low pathogenicity
avian influenza.
 
Low pathogenicity avian influenza (LPAI) commonly occurs in wild birds,
where it typically causes only minor symptoms or no noticeable symptoms.
These strains of the virus are not a human health concern.  This includes
LPAI H5N1, commonly referred to as the North American H5N1.  This strain
of low pathogenicity avian influenza is very different from the more
severe HPAI H5N1 circulating overseas, which is commonly referred to as
the Asian H5N1.
 
Evidence of LPAI H5N1 has been found on two occasions in wild birds in
the United States.  In 1975 and 1986, it was detected in wild ducks.
These detections occurred as part of routine sampling.  LPAI H5N1 has
also been detected in Canada, most recently in 2005.
 
For more information, visit http://www.usda.gov/birdflu or
http://www.avianflu.gov.
 
FACT SHEET: Low-Pathogenicity H5N1 vs. High-Pathogenicity H5N1
 
FACT SHEET: Avian Influenza Testing And Diagnostics
 
USDA Bird Flu Information
 
PandemicFlu.gov & Avian Flu.gov
 
-- Sukie (not a vet, and not speaking for any of the below in my
private posts)
Recommended health resources to help ferrets and the people who love
them:
Ferret Health List
http://www.smartgroups.com/groups/ferrethealth
FHL Archives
http://ferrethealth.org/archive/
AFIP Ferret Pathology
http://www.afip.org/ferrets/index.html
Miamiferrets
http://www.miamiferret.org/fhc/
International Ferret Congress Critical References
http://www.ferretcongress.org
[Posted in FML issue 5335]