H. Leon Thacker, DVM, PhD

As I write these thoughts, it seems that spring is having a hard time getting here.  Nonetheless, we're told that it is just around the corner; looking forward to it.  The big animal/bird disease item that is getting the most publicity at this time is without doubt Avian Influenza.  Purdue hosted the "Pandemic Influenza State Summit" recently.  The Summit brought several speakers to present their views and opinions of the pandemic potential including our Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Purdue President, State Commissioner, Director of our State Homeland Security Department and Director of the National Human and Health Sciences Department.  It is an unquestionable fact that the H5N1 virus so much in the news can produce fatal disease in humans but it should be kept in mind that the issue of Avian Influenza has more than the dimension of possible pandemic or human to human transmission potential.  A second potential of Avian Influenza infection is the possibility that a Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza virus be introduced and produce disease in our domestic poultry industry.  So far, we have no indication or diagnosis of AI either in people or birds in our country, but we should remain cognizant that AI has potential for two courses of loss in our state; by either becoming a potential for a human to human transmission pandemic or a highly contagious potential for spread among our poultry industry.  It is a definite concern that a diagnosis of AI in birds in our country can have a devastating effect upon the consumption of poultry and poultry products by our consuming public.  I am hopeful that undue concern for food safety is not encountered by our consuming public with the finding of a few or several cases of AI.  As consumers, we are not in danger of contracting this infection through processed or saleable poultry or poultry products.  ADDL has prepared to perform testing for AI on increased surveillance testing numbers.  Predictions are that it will get here; I am hopeful that our consuming public does not overreact when it does.

Wishing you pleasant spring activities; it is that time of year when many things come back to life.