2005 Year in Review

Avian Flu Update

What impact will Avian Flu have on my upcoming chick hatching program and embryology unit?

Avian influenza (high-pathogenic variant) is only impacting Southeast Asia. There have been about 120 cases of humans contracting this strain, and about half have been fatal. This is the concern. It is not transmitted man-to-man, and you have to have close contact with an infected flock. Usually it is poultry house workers or processors that have contracted the disease. The bird flu outbreaks that have occurred in wild birds in Canada and on the East Coast of the US have been of a different strain, and are not highly pathogenic.

Dr. Mark Ernst (IDOA State Vet) states that as long as the eggs are sourced from a reputable company, there should be no problems with disease. That being said, students should always practice good hygiene and wash their hands after handling any animal, including turning the eggs while incubating. There is also the animal welfare concern too, in that, now we have these chicks hatched, what do we do with them? The teacher/unit coordinator certainly has to have a plan in place to ensure the chicks go to a place that can take care of them.

by  Editor, theCity1.com
December 28, 2005