By JOHN BELDEN

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — The Indiana State Board of Animal Health (BOAH) extended its prohibition on poultry comingling in the state through mid-September, during its regular quarterly meeting July 9.

The board also approved a permanent rule to make recordkeeping of poultry transactions similar to the requirements for other livestock. These measures are in response to incidents of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) across North America over the last several months.

The emergency rule, which forbade bringing poultry together at events such as sales, swap meets or fairs, had one notable change in its extension: It no longer restricts all bird species.

"Even though we put in an emergency order (in May) to stop all bird movements, we’ve learned a lot in the meantime," said Dr. Bret Marsh, state veterinarian. "We’ve learned from the ag research service, for example, that parrots and pigeons are considered very low-risk, and rather resistant to this virus ... We have received a number of inquiries from the American Racing Pigeon Association. (Indiana is) a major player in their events, and we didn’t know this until the order came about."

The restrictions now apply only to poultry, defined as: chickens, turkeys, ostriches, emus, rheas, cassowaries, waterfowl (ducks and geese) and game birds (pheasants, partridge, peafowl, quail, grouse and guineas). Non-poultry species, including parrots, parakeets, canaries, doves and pigeons, could resume participation in exhibitions and sales as of July 10.

In the permanent rule, effective Sept. 17, anyone who buys, sells, leases, barters or exchanges poultry within Indiana must maintain a record of the transaction for three years. Necessary information includes the number and breed of poultry; any individual animal ID; and the names and addresses of those involved in the transaction.

Individuals do not have to maintain records of sales directly to an approved slaughter facility or through an approved livestock facility, as those are required to collect that information. These rules are similar to those already in place for other livestock species, Marsh said.

BOAH veterinarian Michael Kopp said experts on the avian flu incidents nationwide have repeatedly used the word "unprecedented" to describe the series of detected infections from late last year to June. It was discovered as an Asian H5N8 strain, which combined with a North American virus to become H5N2, and continues to mutate, he said.

"Something changed with that virus that made it highly contagious to commercial flocks," Kopp said.

While the flu has been devastating to poultry, it does not transfer to humans. Also, it cannot be transmitted through eggs, but the loss of laying hens has had a major impact on egg production. "What we saw in Iowa, the No. 1 egg-producing state," he said, "is half of their production is gone. We’re actually importing eggs, which was never done in recent history."

The last reported case was in Iowa on June 17, Kopp said. Due to import bans in various countries, the United States has lost about $1.2 billion in poultry exports so far.

Shelly Chavis, who normally works with BOAH on issues such as chronic wasting disease in deer, was called upon for the single Indiana incident of avian flu, in a backyard flock in Whitley County in early May. The owner reported sick birds to the sale company where most were purchased, Topeka Exotic Animal and Bird Auction of Topeka, Ind. The seller, having seen notices advising those suspecting avian flu to contact the BOAH, called the board office.

BOAH staff immediately contacted the birds’ owner, finding the infected poultry included two turkeys, nine red hens and six silkies, purchased at a Topeka sale, and one chocolate Muscovy duck acquired from a swap meet, Chavis said. Initial tests at Purdue University showed infection, and confirmation came days later from the National Veterinary Services Laboratory in Ames, Iowa.

During the wait for final results, the Indiana State Poultry Assoc. agreed to pay for the poultry owner’s remaining stock – 67 chickens, ducks, geese and turkeys – which were all destroyed. A quarantine area was drawn around the affected site, and poultry were tested on 209 premises, as well as wild waterfowl in nearby nature areas.

After all tests came back negative twice, with testing held 14 days apart, the incident was over and quarantine was lifted. Also, testing was done at the locations where the purchased birds originated. The sale facility voluntarily kept full records, ensuring this testing could be pursued, Marsh said, noting this would be a benefit of the new permanent rule. These tests were also all negative.

While no further infections is a relief, the mystery remains of how the birds contracted the virus in the first place. "We still don’t know where it came from," Chavis said. The mystery deepens with the fact the strain turned out to be the original H5N8, rather than the H5N2 found elsewhere in the Midwest.

So far this summer, BOAH has received numerous "sick bird" calls, of which 64 warranted a follow-up. All tests returned negative.

BOAH had the help of other agencies, including the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, in testing 755 Canada geese on 31 sites statewide. The Department of Corrections also provided up to 300 low-level offenders to train in assisting with catching and testing birds.

Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory Director Stephen B. Hooser said the lab is training more of its staff to be certified in molecular testing for HPAI to provide "surge" capacity during the next suspected outbreak.

BOAH is still taking public comments on the emergency rule, as well as the new permanent rule, online at www.in.gov/boah/2390.htm

In other business, the board approved a proposed rule on brucellosis control in cattle and bison to conform to federal rules.

The next BOAH meeting, which is also a public hearing on the poultry rules, will be 9:30 a.m. Oct. 8, in Discovery Hall at the Indiana State Fairgrounds.