US reports Bird Flu Outbreak in a Turkey Farm in California

Bird flu outbreak reported on a turkey farm in California, according to a report posted by the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) on March 18.

According to a report posted on the OIE website, a commercial turkey flock has exhibited coughing with a slight increase in mortality on March 9, said the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Avian Influenza / Bird Flu-Causes-Symptoms-Treatment- FAQs
Bird flu (avian influenza/avian flu) is a disease caused by an influenza virus (H5N1) that primarily affects birds but can infect humans also.

The samples collected from the turkey farm tested positive for low pathogenic H7N3 avian influenza. Around 61,000 turkeys were infected by low pathogenic H7N3 virus.

The strain discovered differed from the highly pathogenic H5N2 avian flu. It was also different from the highly pathogenic H5N8 bird flu found on a Californian turkey farm in January.

The farm was placed under quarantine following the preliminary findings and an epidemiological investigation was initiated. Following surveillance tests for bird flu at 10 associated farms were negative.

Bird Flu Alert In Amethi District, Uttar Pradesh
A highly pathogenic avian influenza outbreak in Amethi; as many as 750 birds culled.

Based on the pathogenicity or the ability to cause disease, bird flu viruses are divided into two groups. Highly pathogenic bird flu causes serious disease, spreads rapidly and has high death rates. Low pathogenic bird flu causes milder disease.

Response to Bird Flu Spread Boosted By China
To prevent the spread of H7N9 avian influenza, which has killed six people in the country, Shanghai's live poultry markets were shut on Saturday as it culled birds.

Source-Medindia

Bird Flu Scare Steps Up Border Checks in Hong Kong
Border checks have now been stepped up in Hong Kong after the city reported its first case of the deadly H7N9 bird flu