Poultry Science: Agro/Bio-security
Section II. Emergency Action Plans and Response
Dr. Dan L. Cunningham
Department of Poultry Science
The University of Georgia
Introduction
Avian Influenza is a contagious viral disease of poultry that can produce serious health problems for flocks and can have serious economic consequences for poultry producers. Mild forms of this disease occur occasionally around the world and are known as Low Pathogenic Avian Influenza (LPAI). The more serious forms of this disease are referred to as High Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) because the disease is more severe in infected birds and often results in high mortality. Low pathogenic forms of Avian Influenza (H5 and H7) are known to change to high pathogenic forms, so it is important to eliminate these viruses form flocks before they have the chance to mutate into more serious forms. In order to respond quickly to the threat of avian influenza, federal and state agencies as will as poultry industry representatives have developed emergency response plans should an outbreak of AI occur. An outbreak of LPAI in Georgia would result in the implementation of an emergency response plan developed by poultry veterinarians of the Georgia Poultry Laboratory Network, the University of Georgia Poultry Diagnostic and Research Center and poultry industry representatives. An outbreak of HPAI anywhere in the U.S. would result in the implementation of a national emergency response plan under the direction of USDA/APHIS. These plans address the organizational structures that will direct emergency actions and details the steps that will be used to control and eradicate Avian Influenza from the infected areas. The fell plans are lengthy and comprehensive and subject to change as needed, but the key components are summarized in the following sections.