Avian Influenza

The USDA is taking steps to prepare for and minimize the potential impact should the H5N1 strain of avian influenza reach the United States. The Natural Resources Conservation Service will strive to protect the health and safety of employees and the public and will assist lead agencies and entities in the response to a potential outbreak.

What is Avian Influenza and how does it spread?

Avian (or bird) flu is caused by influenza A viruses that occur naturally among wild birds. H5N1 is a variant of avian influenza that is highly contagious among both wild and domestic bird populations. The virus is transmitted through saliva, nasal secretions, and feces. Domesticated birds may become infected with avian influenza virus through direct contact with infected waterfowl or other infected poultry. The virus is also transmitted amongst birds through contact with surfaces (such as dirt or cages) or materials (water or feed) that have been contaminated with the virus.

H5N1 can be transmitted from birds to humans. Most cases in humans have resulted from contact with infected poultry, such as domesticated chicken, ducks, and turkeys, or surfaces contaminated with secretions or excretions from infected birds. So far, the spread of H5N1 virus from person to person has been limited. Nonetheless, all influenza viruses have the ability to change, and scientists are concerned that the H5N1 virus could in the future begin to spread easily amongst humans.

Go to PandemicFlu.gov for more information.

Avian Influenza Outbreak Procedures for NRCS

In the advent of an outbreak of H5N1 or similar threat, NRCS personnel will closely monitor all communications from supervisors and through the chain of command, including the NRCS Web page. Should an outbreak occur:

The NRCS role should an outbreak occur:

NRCS personnel may potentially assist in the following activities:

• Soil interpretations for disposal of animal carcasses, pit and trench liners, and debris. Reports dealing with carcass disposal and site-specific soil information and maps showing the location of the best sites for disposal are available on the Web Soil Survey Web site.
• Technical guidance on proper disposal/utilization of litter/manure from infected production facilities.

NRCS and Avian Influenza Preparedness

Even in the absence of a potential biosecurity threat, NRCS personnel are expected to follow a number of awareness procedures and biosecurity practices to decrease the likelihood of disease transfer. NRCS personnel should always be aware of the possibility of disease transfer as they go about their day to day work and visit clients’ varied farming operations.

• Familiarize yourself with all NRCS policy regarding biosecurity and the NRCS role in responding to an outbreak:
  • NRCS biosecurity policy found in GM 130 Part 403, Subpart H
  • Conservation practice standard 316—Animal Mortality Facility
  • Conservation practice standard 317—Composting Facility
  • National Engineering Handbook Part 637, Chapter 2—Composting (NEH 637.0210 and NEH 637.0211)
• Learn about H5N1, stay current on its status, and know where to get reliable information: 
  • The federal government’s clearinghouse for information on avian influenza is the PandemicFlu Web site.
  • The USDA Avian Influenza Web page contains a wealth of relevant information for NRCS personnel
    • Avian Influenza: USDA Efforts and Response (USDA informational brochure)
    • USDA avian influenza fact sheets
    • Avian Influenza & What it Means to NRCS (NRCS Technology Today fact sheet)
  • The Ohio Department of Agriculture Avian Influenza

Additional Resources

The following documents require Adobe Acrobat.

Federal Occupational Health Pandemic Presentation (174 KB)

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