Section 2. Avian Influenza and Humans

Avian Influenza Outbreaks in the U.S.

While HPAI H5N1 has not been reported in the U.S., outbreaks of other HPAI subtypes have occurred throughout the country.2

To date, there have been four outbreaks in the U.S. of HPAI occurring in 1924, 1983, 2004, and 2014. Several low pathogenic outbreaks have resulted in mass depopulations of poultry as well. Many of these cases are believed to have resulted from contact with AI-infected live bird markets and sharing equipment between farms.

The 2014-2015 outbreak of high pathogenic avian influenza is the largest animal health emergency in US history. In less than six months, over 48 million birds on 223 premises were affected by the virus. The outbreak devastated the affected regions of the Pacific Northwest and Midwest. While the exact cause of the spread from farm to farm has yet to be determined, most experts agree that movement was a major factor. Because the virus can survive in the environment for long periods of time, the virus can be moved from farm to farm by people, animals, farm vehicles or other pieces of equipment. Because of this, biosecurity on individual farms is extremely important and it is imperative to always follow a strict management and health program. Biosecurity includes procedures that minimize risk of a virus or other infectious agent from entering a premise or facility. The following video will provide tips to improve your personal biosecurity.

Avian Influenza Prevention

Documented HPAI in Poultry⁶^,22

Year	Location	Strain	Losses
1924-25	USA	Unknown	Unknown
1983-84	PA, USA	H5N2	17 million
2004	TX, USA	H5N2	9,000
2014-2015	USA	H5N2, H5N8, H5N1	49 million

Documented LPAI in Poultry^6,22

Year	Location	Strain	Losses
1978-1995	MN	Various LPAI	1199 Farms
1995	MN	H9N2	178 Farms
1995	UT	H7N3	2 million (60 Farms)
2002	VA	H7N2	4.7 million (197 Farms)
2004	DE, MD, PA	H7N2, H2N2	400,000