What is USDA doing to monitor the U.S. for avian influenza among birds?
The USDA works with federal, state, and industry leaders to monitor and respond to outbreaks of LP avian influenza. APHIS has provided funding and support personnel to states when LPAI has been detected. When HP avian influenza is detected, APHIS personnel are primary responders, due to its infectivity and high mortality rate among poultry. Close attention is also given to two subtypes of LPAI, the H5 and H7 strains, because of the potential for them to mutate into HPAI. The AI strain infecting both birds and humans in Asia is the HP avian influenza H5N1. There is presently no evidence of HP avian influenza H5N1 existing in the U.S. – neither in animals nor humans. In addition to international import restrictions, APHIS and State veterinarians are specially trained to diagnose foreign animal diseases regularly conduct field investigations of suspicious disease conditions. This surveillance is assisted by university personnel, State animal health officials, USDA-accredited veterinarians
