Page 15 - Demo

www.poultrynews.com.au National Poultry Newspaper, February 2025 %u2013 Page 15BCS WALKING TRACTORSA wide range of implements also availableAvailable in petrol or diesel 3 Endeavour Street, Warragul, VIC, 3820(03) 5622 9100 %u2022 www.vinrowe.com.auBetter outcomes through advanced systemswww.stockyardindustries.comNorthern regionJoe Oliveira0437 322 446joe@stockyardindustries.comSouthern regionNiel Snyman0419 608 721niel@stockyardindustries.comJuan DiazNational Key Account Manager - Poultryjuan@ccdanimalhealth.com.au 0419 620 310Jodie DriscollNational Sales Managerjodie@ccdanimalhealth.com.au0428 247 272Eddie PecotichNational Key Account Manager - Biosecurity eddie@ccdanimalhealth.com.au 0437 408 961Unit 2, 84-92 Barnes StTamworth NSW 2340ccdanimalhealth.com.au(02) 9898 1800sales@HydroInnovations.com.auwww.HydroInnovations.com.au %u2022 Wastewater Pumps%u2022 Lagoon Aerators%u2022 Sludge Pumps%u2022 DAF PumpsGarry GrantDANIEL FISHER0434 468 644KEVIN MARKHAM0421 078 855E: equipment@ifsaustralia.com.auwww.ifsaustralia.com.auU4/9 Cardiff CourtCavanSA 5094PO Box 2467 Dry Creek SA 5094INTENSIVE FARMING SUPPLIES AUSTRALIAPRECISION INTESTINAL NUTRITION SYNCHRONIZED FOR POULTRYSome companies talk about it - at Jefo, we do it For more information, contact:Wayne Bradsha 0429 301 500 wbradshaw@jefo.comor the office:ausinfo@jefo.comjefo.com Here%u2019s my Card Here%u2019s my Card Here%u2019s my Card Here%u2019s my Card Here%u2019s my Card Here%u2019s my CardTom Moore0417 085 139newenglandfreerange@hotmail.com%u2022 Custom small batch pullet rearing (BD Aviary) %u2022 Full vaccination options available%u2022 Truly separated, if required %u2022 Southern Queensland and northern NSWDonald Trump%u2019s second administration is pulling out of world health bodies, which experts warn will delay important disclosure of new diseases.HEALTH officials in the US are looking into the appearance of a worrying new strain of avian influenza, which has been detected in the country for the first time. The strain H5N9 was found on a duck farm in Merced County, California, marking the first confirmed case in US poultry, according to the World Organisation for Animal Health.However, the discovery was not publicly disclosed by US health authorities. This lack of communication comes amid the Trump administration%u2019s suspension of government health communications while a political review is underway. Experts are concerned that this delay in sharing critical information could hinder efforts to manage and contain potential outbreaks.Stony Brook University vaccine expert Michael Kinch said, %u201cIt is extremely unusual, and I believe it reflects the policy decision for everyone to go dark.%u201d%u201cIt%u2019s troubling because any sort of non-typical influenza is particularly problematic when it gains the ability to jump between species.%u201dUS officials are required to report outbreaks in animals to the World Organisation for Animal Health, but the US Department of Agriculture has yet to explain why the case wasn%u2019t publicly reported. This comes at a time when health authorities are facing increased pressure due to a US directive halting all collaborations with the World Health Organisation.US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention senior official John Nkengasong issued a memo recently, halting all staff interactions with WHO, ordering them to %u201cawait further guidance.%u201d This decision has raised concerns about the impact on efforts to tackle diseases such as Marburg virus and mpox in Africa, as well as other emerging global threats.The discovery of new avian influenza strains is particularly worrying because the virus has caused several human fatalities over the years, typically from close contact with infected animals. The USDA and state authorities are actively investigating the Merced County case, but health experts are especially concerned about the implications of H5N9.Another more common avian influenza strain, H5N1 has been circulating in US poultry farms and, earlier this month, a woman in Louisiana died after contracting the virus. However, human-tohuman transmission of H5N1 remains rare. On the other hand, the H5N9 strain is less studied, which means there is limited information about its potential risks to human health.The H5N9 strain is believed to be a genetic mix of bird flu viruses, including H5N1. A highly pathogenic version of H5N9 was first detected in China over a decade ago. The emergence of this strain raises concerns that it could evolve in ways that may make it more dangerous to humans, requiring researchers to start fresh on vaccine development if it spreads.%u201cThis is the wrong time of year and the wrong virus to be messing around with,%u201d Mr Kinch said, highlighting the urgency of studying the new strain.While US health officials have been closely monitoring H5N1 for any signs of genetic mutations that might increase its threat, they have emphasised that currently there is no evidence of humanto-human transmission and the overall risk to the public remains low. Nonetheless, experts caution that any mutation in a flu virus makes it impossible to predict the outcome.Baylor College of Medicine vaccine expert Peter Hotez noted that the fact H5N1 is mixing its genetic material with other flu strains is a worrying development. %u201cIt%u2019s concerning that these viruses are evolving,%u201d he said.St. Jude Children%u2019s Research Hospital leading flu researcher Richard Webby echoed the concern, pointing out that while the H5N9 case may not immediately increase the risk to humans or animals, researchers need to carefully examine its genetic sequence for any significant changes.Meanwhile, in the UK, health authorities reported a case of H5N1 in a person from central England. The individual, who had been in close contact with infected birds at a farm, was in good health and public health authorities were tracing all contacts to offer antiviral treatment. UK officials stressed that the risk to the public remained %u201cvery low.%u201dIn response to recent outbreaks, UK authorities have been culling infected birds on farms to prevent further spread of the virus.As health experts continue to monitor developments in both the US and UK, the global community remains on alert for any further mutations or strains of bird flu that could pose new challenges to public health. The H5N9 strain is believed to be a genetic mix of bird flu viruses, including H5N1. The evolution of these viruses is concerning.US investigates new bird flu strain as Trump administration freezes health communications