Learn more about highly pathogenic avian influenza

The highly pathogenic strain of avian influenza virus (H5N8) that originated in Asia first spread to Europe and North Africa and then, in the winter of 2014-15, came to North America. Once in North America, the Asia-origin virus mixed with a North American influenza strain to make an H5N2 virus that is now found in three of the four North American wild bird flyways. The H5N2 strain is not lethal for the wild waterfowl that are carrying and shedding the virus, but it is lethal for domestic poultry and has a high shed rate. This unique combination of characteristics has allowed this H5N2 strain to spread rapidly and be difficult to eradicate.
Register at https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/6265457426239769858?linknumber=website to attend “Avian influenza: Control efforts and trade impacts,” a webinar sponsored by Zoetis and presented by WATT Global Media. The webinar will be held Wednesday, June 10, 2015, at 9 a.m. Central.
By attending the webinar, you will learn:


• The current worldwide HPAI situation, with an update on recent H5 HPAI cases involving intercontinental viruses (H5N2 and H5N8)
• The impacts of eradication efforts
• How vaccination can reduce illness and disease spread, and how it also can complicate disease surveillance
• The repercussions of HPAI on U.S. poultry supply and how trade restrictions have reduced U.S. poultry exports
• An overview of how hot summer weather might dampen the spread of HPAI and the possibilities of a re-emergence this fall
Speakers for this webinar will be:


• Dr. David Swayne, laboratory director, Southeast Poultry Research Laboratory, USDA/Agricultural Research Service
• Dr. Mary Pantin-Jackwood, veterinary medical officer, Southeast Poultry Research Laboratory 
• Will Sawyer, vice president, Rabobank Food and Agribusiness Research group