AVIAN INFLUENZA DETECTED IN SMALL NUMBER OF WILD MUTE SWANS IN RHODE ISLAND

RIDEM graphical banner, showing land and water scene

Home > News > News Item

Avian Flu Page

News Release
RI Department of Environmental Management
235 Promenade Street, Providence, RI 02908
(401) 222-2771 TDD/(401) 222-4462

For Release:	August 21, 2008
Contact:	Gail Mastrati 222-4700 ext. 2402

AVIAN INFLUENZA DETECTED IN SMALL NUMBER OF WILD MUTE SWANS IN RHODE ISLAND
Finding Poses No Significant Threat to Human Health, but Poultry Owners are Advised to Take Preventative Steps to Protect their Flocks

PROVIDENCE - A strain of avian influenza (bird flu) has been detected in a small number of mute swans collected from the Seekonk River during routine surveillance performed by the Department of Environmental Management's Division of Fish & Wildlife. The swans were caught near the Swan Point Cemetery in Providence, and subsequently tested by the USDA. Four of the eleven birds were found to be infected with the H7N3 strain of the avian influenza virus. This is NOT the same strain that has infected people in Asia and Europe since 2003, and there is no known significant health risk to people as a result of exposure to this virus, nor any associated food safety concerns. Chicken and other poultry products are safe to eat.

This virus, while not a significant health risk to people, can be transmitted to other birds, and thereby represents a significant risk to other wild birds and domestic poultry flocks. In response, DEM's Division of Agriculture will be performing increased surveillance of domestic poultry flocks within a 10 kilometer (6.2 mile) radius of the location where the infected swans were found. The Massachusetts Department of Agriculture will do the same thing on their side of the border. DEM's Division of Fish and Wildlife will also increase surveillance of wild waterfowl (swans, ducks, geese, etc.).

As a precaution, to protect their flocks, all poultry owners should employ standard biosecurity and sanitation practices. In particular, poultry owners should prevent their flocks from having any contact with wild birds. Additional information on avian influenza and the steps poultry owners should take to protect their flocks can be found at http://www.dem.ri.gov/topics/avianflu.htm. (easily accessed by clicking on "Avian Flu" under "Timely Topics" on DEM's homepage). All poultry owners should have their flocks tested; to schedule an appointment, they should contact DEM's Division of Agriculture/Animal Health Unit at 222-2781. Testing is done by free of charge to the producer. Any poultry owner finding a higher than normal number of bird deaths in their flock should immediately report the occurrence to DEM's Animal Health Unit at the above number.

There are two primary ways in which the general public can help control the spread of the disease among bird populations. First: do not feed waterfowl. It is illegal and harmful. Large numbers of waterfowl congregate when people feed them resulting in overcrowding and the potential spread of diseases among the flock. Second, anyone who encounters any large numbers of dead or sick birds should report their finding to DEM's Division of Fish & Wildlife, at 789-7481 (Monday-Friday, 8:30-4:00). No one should be concerned by a single dead bird. Birds die everyday, from many different causes. DEM is only interested in learning about unusual occurrences, involving many dead or sick birds. More information on these topics can be found at http://www.dem.ri.gov/programs/bnatres/fishwild/pdf/dontfeed.pdf and http://www.dem.ri.gov/programs/bnatres/agricult/pdf/birdflu.pdf.

-30-

For General Information 222-6800 • After Hours Emergencies 222-3070 • Disclaimer