Preventing Avian Influenza Through Characterization of Hmong Live Poultry Markets

Michele Schermann, Research Fellow
Jacqueline Jacob, Assistant Professor and Extension Poultry Specialist, Department of Animal Science
Sally Noll, Professor and Extension Poultry Specialist, Department of Animal Science
John Shutske, Professor
David Halvorson, CVM, Extension Veterinarian

Funding Source

Minnesota Agricultural Experiment Station Rapid Agricultural Response Fund

Objective

Explore and document characteristics and critical control points in live poultry markets and on-farm production practices of Hmong producers and consumers which may influence the potential risk for H5N1 avian influenza, and development and delivery of worker and public health safety and control measures.

Need or Impact

Avian influenza, often referred to in the media as the “bird flu,” is a real threat to both the poultry and human populations of Minnesota. Infection can occur in most species of birds, both domestic and wild. There are also critical concerns at a global level about the H5N1 strain of influenza mutating or genetically reassorting in a way that could lead to a human influenza pandemic. Live-bird markets are important to the culture of Hmong, Somali, and Hispanic communities in Minnesota. This project will characterize the live bird markets and their source flocks in Minnesota and surrounding areas so that effective extension programs can be developed to reduce the possibility of the introduction of avian influenza by implementing suitable education activities and biosecurity measures, increasing awareness of health risks associated with live bird markets, and reducing the human health risk if avian influenza is introduced.

Project Status

In progress. A protocol for data collection has been developed by the project team. Five informational workshops have been held in the Hmong community to address specific concerns and questions from the community. Three live radio shows on Hmong radio featured avian influenza information in Hmong and English.