The Tennessee Department of Agriculture (TDA) routinely looks for bird flu types in our domestic poultry, and has for several years tested blood samples for the disease.  In 2005, TDA tested more than 26,000 samples – all negative for bird flu – in its Kord Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory in Nashville.  In addition, Tennessee’s large commercial poultry industry has an active disease surveillance program and further contributes by additional testing of flocks in approved private laboratories.  There is also a system of reporting diseases to state and federal animal health officials so that quick action can be taken to limit the spread and eradicate bird flu in the event of an outbreak among domestic birds.    

Since 1924, there have been three incidences of highly pathogenic bird flu in the United States in domestic poultry.  There were no human illnesses reported in connection with these outbreaks, the most recent outbreak in 2004 was confined to one flock and quickly eradicated. 

TDA is expanding its bird flu monitoring efforts among non-commercial producers to include voluntary testing.  Department animal health technicians provide information and outreach materials on sound biosecurity – practices that provide protection from a variety of potential diseases through physical barriers and good management – to breeders and exhibitors of exotic and specialty birds at fairs and other events.

Poultry production in the United States is much different than in many developing countries where the Asian H5N1 strain has been found and where people often live in close contact with their birds. 

In Tennessee and throughout the United States, poultry farmers and the companies with whom they work are keenly aware of the need for biosecurity.  Such practices include raising birds in an enclosed environment with climate controls to limit exposure to wild bird populations, not allowing other poultry on the farm, limiting access by visitors, disinfecting workers and equipment and wearing protective clothing.

Response and Eradication

In the event that the Asian H5N1 bird flu or any other similar strain is detected in a domestic chicken flock in Tennessee, the response will be swift and decisive.  Responses will be coordinated between USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Agency and the Tennessee Department of Agriculture.   As with any highly contagious disease, time is critical in limiting the spread and severity of an infection.  Infected flocks will be humanely destroyed and disposed of in an environmentally sensitive manner.  None of the birds will enter the food supply.  Quarantines will be established to restrict movement of birds and equipment that might spread the disease.  Monitoring and testing of other flocks in the affected area will be conducted to ensure complete eradication. 

USDA uses the Incident Command System to coordinate local, state and federal responses to disease outbreaks.  This provides not only a system of direction and control for responding to a disease outbreak but also coordinates timely dissemination of information and emergency instruction to the public and media.  The Tennessee Department of Agriculture will implement the state’s Animal Emergency Response Plan, developed with the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency to deploy and coordinate state resources for public health and safety, law enforcement, transportation and environmental protection.