Bird Flu Found in Texas

AUSTIN - Feb 20/04 - SNS -- A flock of chickens in Gonzales County in Texas has tested positive for the H7 strain of avian influenza (AI), a contagious viral respiratory infection of poultry and birds, according to officials with the state veterinary service.

The flock is quarantined, and state and federal animal health regulatory personnel are working to contain and eliminate the infection and determine how the disease may have been introduced.

"AI, like many other viruses, can present itself in many forms, or strains. The AI strain from the Gonzales County flock is H5N2. The signs of the disease in chickens, indicates this virus is a low-pathogenic strain, meaning it poses no health threat to humans and causes relatively low mortality in chickens. There is no danger in consuming eggs or poultry meat, and that is the most important point," said Dr. Bob Hillman, Texas' state veterinarian and executive director TAHC.

"Whenever AI is detected, we take action, in order to stop the spread of disease, ensure the health of other flocks, and protect our ability to trade poultry products with other countries without any added flock health restrictions," he said.

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