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 and employee intranet for guidance. Should an outbreak occur:

• NRCS will follow all necessary precautions to protect the health and welfare of personnel, clients, and the public.
• NRCS personnel will eliminate certain field and site visits in affected areas, unless requested to provide assistance by the State Veterinarian or other responsible official.
• NRCS personnel will report for duty to assist the State Veterinarian, APHIS, or other entity if instructed by a NRCS line officer.
• NRCS leadership will communicate with the FAC, State Emergency Board, and the State Veterinarian and provide information to personnel as it becomes available.

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.
• Mortality disposal
(this is unlikely in Oregon)
• Burial
• Incineration
• Composting
• 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. The following list contains precautions and preparedness measures for employees to follow at all times.

1.  Take precautions to prevent the spread of disease:

• Follow proper field procedures
• Park your vehicle on paved or concrete areas, away from production sites, to avoid contact with dirt, mud or manure.
• Wash hands with soap and water or antibacterial gel before entering or after leaving a livestock operation.
• Change coveralls and boots between visits to farming operations.
• Clean and disinfect equipment and vehicles between farm visits.
• Boot washing apparatus and hand washer will be available for vehicles.
• When handling wild birds, follow guidance issued by the Department of Interior's National Wildlife Health Center:
  • Do not handle birds that are obviously sick or birds found dead.
  • Wear rubber or disposable latex gloves while handling and cleaning game, wash hands with soap and water (or with alcohol-based hand products if the hands are not visibly soiled), and thoroughly clean knives, equipment and surfaces that come in contact with game.
  • Do not eat, drink, or smoke while handling or cleaning birds.
  • o Cook all game meat thoroughly (at least to 165° F) to kill disease organisms and parasites.
• Know how to identify a potentially infected bird (from the Oregon Department of Agriculture).
  • Sudden death without clinical signs.
  • Lack of energy and appetite.
  • Decreased egg production and/or soft shelled or misshapen eggs.
  • Swelling of the head, eyelids, comb, wattles, and hocks.
  • Purple discoloration of the wattles, combs, and legs.
  • Nasal discharge, coughing, sneezing.
  • Incoordination.
  • Diarrhea

2. Develop and update a preparedness plan for your family to prepare for all types of emergencies:

• Anticipate how your family will function and care for ill family members should an outbreak occur.
• Practice good health habits, including eating a balanced diet, exercising daily, and getting sufficient rest to improve resistance to illness.
• Take necessary steps to stop the spread of germs.
• Review with your family preparedness resources, such as planning guides, family checklists, and Q&As available through PandemicFlu.gov.

3. Stay current on NRCS policy and news about H5N1:

• 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
  • The National Soil Survey Center suite of Homeland Security soil survey interpretations to be posted on the Soil Data Mart later this year.
  • Avian Influenza & What it Means to NRCS (NRCS Technology Today fact sheet)
  • The Animal and Plant Health inspection Service (APHIS) is the lead USDA agency in the advent of an avian influenza outbreak
  • The Oregon Department of Agriculture, Oregon State Veterinarian

Pandemic Flu Procedures

Although the spread of the H5N1 virus is currently spread from contaminated animal or surface to humans, scientists are concerned that the virus could in the future begin to spread from human to human.  If this does occur NRCS will practice social distancing when completing work functions.  The development of procedures on social distancing are in process and will soon be distributed by bulletin.

Additional Resources

The following documents require Adobe Acrobat.

Federal Occupational Health Pandemic Presentation (174 KB)

Last Modified:  12/11/2006

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