DOI, USDA, STATE PARTNERS TEST MORE THAN 13,000 WILD MIGRATORY BIRDS IN ALASKA
08-30-2006 - No Highly Pathogenic H5N1 Avian Influenza Detected
WASHINGTON and BARROW, AK, Aug. 29, 2006- Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns and Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne today announced that their departments and the State of Alaska have tested more than 13,000 wild migratory birds for highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 in Alaska. No HPAI H5N1-a virus that has killed wild birds, commercial poultry and more than 140 people in Asia, Europe and Africa-has been detected in any of the Alaska samples.
WASHINGTON and BARROW, AK, Aug. 29, 2006- Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns and Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne today announced that their departments and the State of Alaska have tested more than 13,000 wild migratory birds for highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 in Alaska. No HPAI H5N1-a virus that has killed wild birds, commercial poultry and more than 140 people in Asia, Europe and Africa-has been detected in any of the Alaska samples.
"Guided by the national wild bird surveillance and early detection plan, our collaborative efforts have comprehensively sampled and tested high-priority species throughout Alaska," said Secretary Kempthorne, who this week is visiting a sampling camp near Barrow, Alaska. "Although no high-path H5N1 virus has yet been detected, we must remain vigilant and thorough in this important detection and early warning program. I'd also like to recognize the cooperation of Alaska subsistence hunters, of citizens who have reported dead birds, and of the Alaska public in general, who have made great efforts to become informed on this issue and thus are valuable partners in state and federal efforts."
"Close collaboration with our federal, state, and local partners is essential to the success of our national wild bird monitoring strategy," said Secretary Johanns. "This plan is one of many tools we use to control the spread of highly pathogenic forms of the avian influenza virus. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) also works on the international front, as well as at our borders and within them to ensure the highest levels of protection and early detection capabilities are in place."
The national wild bird surveillance and early detection plan is part of President Bush's National Strategy for Pandemic Influenza. The President allocated $29 million in his fiscal year 2006 avian influenza supplemental funding package for implementation of the wild bird monitoring plan.
The U.S. Department of Interior (DOI), USDA, the State of Alaska, and the University of Alaska have been involved with sampling wild birds in Alaska since April 2006. The sampling program includes a goal to sample and test 75,000 to 100,000 migratory birds across the United States this year.
» United States Department of Agriculture
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