Investigation of H7N2 avian influenza outbreaks in two broiler breeder flocks in Pennsylvania, 2001-02.

An avian influenza (AI) outbreak occurred in meat-type chickens in central Pennsylvania from December 2001 to January 2002. Two broiler breeder flocks were initially infected almost simultaneously in early December. Avian influenza virus (AIV), H7N2 subtype, was isolated from the two premises in our laboratory.

Epidemiology, production losses, and control measures associated with an outbreak of avian influenza subtype H7N2 in Pennsylvania (1996-98).

An outbreak of H7N2 low-pathogenicity (LP) avian influenza (AI) occurred in a two-county area in Pennsylvania from December of 1996 through April of 1998. The outbreak resulted in infection of 2,623,116 commercial birds on 25 premises encompassing 47 flocks. Twenty-one (one premise with infection twice) of the twenty-five infected premises housed egg-laying chickens and one premise each had turkeys, layer pullets, quail, and a mixed backyard dealer flock.

Summary of the 2001-02 Pennsylvania H7N2 low pathogenicity avian influenza outbreak in meat type chickens.

H7N2 low-pathogenicity (LP) avian influenza (AI) virus was isolated from chickens submitted to the Pennsylvania Animal Diagnostic Laboratory System on December 4 and 5, 2001. The cases were from two broiler breeder flocks in central Pennsylvania that had clinical signs of an acute, rapidly spreading respiratory disease. Seroconversion to AI virus was detected on follow-up sampling.

Interpretations of antibody responses to Salmonella enterica serotype enteritidis gm flagellin in poultry flocks are enhanced by a kinetics-based enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

Many regulatory and diagnostic programs for the detection of Salmonella enterica serotype Enteritidis infection in commercial poultry flocks have relied on rapid Pullorum agglutination tests to screen birds because of the shared antigens of S. enterica Enteritidis and S. enterica Pullorum and Gallinarum; however, the use of the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) format affords better analytical sensitivity than crude agglutination tests.

Management and environmental risk factors for Salmonella enteritidis contamination of eggs.

Objective: To analyze data for 60 poultry flocks voluntarily enrolled in the Pennsylvania Salmonella enteritidis Pilot Project and determine management and environmental risk factors associated with production of S enteritidis-contaminated eggs.

Sample Population: 60 flocks for which at least 1 environmental sample (manure or egg-handling equipment) was positive for S enteritidis.

Procedure: Samples of manure, egg-handling equipment, and mice were submitted for bacterial culture of S enteritidis.