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H5N1 strain of avian influenza

Terrorist Ducks and Free-Range Sleeper Cells?

By Rob Wallbridge
Wednesday, January 25, 2006

Terrorist ducks and free-range sleeper cells? It's an odd idea to imagine, yet this appears to be the way some governments are viewing wild birds and outdoor flocks of poultry in the wave of paranoia surrounding the H5N1 strain of avian influenza. In early November, the government of Quebec imposed strict new regulations governing poultry farming in the province. Chief among them was the requirement that all poultry be kept locked indoors, sealed away from any type of potential contact with wild birds. The intention is to protect the province's poultry industry and its export markets from the threat of avian flu. But is this response the right one?

This action not only impacts a large number of small farmers who are accustomed to letting their poultry free range, it also threatens the ability of certified organic producers to continue to raise their flocks according to organic standards and according to their customer's expectations.

There are broader concerns too, about the real source of the current strain of H5N1 avian flu, the true effectiveness of this "exposure avoidance" approach to dealing with the threat, and its impact on the poultry industry, farmers, consumers, and human health worldwide. Consider the following:

  • The traditional asian farms and markets that are being blamed for the current problem have been in existence for 7,000 years.

  • avian flu has been present for hundreds of years, and was first noticed to cause human disease over 100 years ago. Even the H5N1strain has been present since at least 1959. The current strain of highly pathogenic H5N1 flu is believed to have started in southern China in early 2003.

  • This area, like many parts of Southeast asia is home to rapidly-expanding ‘modern' intensive poultry production, as well as traditional farms and live-bird markets.

  • Our knowledge of viruses tells us that large, intensive livestock facilities are the perfect breeding ground for the emergence of highly-pathogenic, virulent strains: they house large numbers of birds in close quarters whose immune systems have been compromised by stress, poor living conditions, and feeds medicated with hormones and antibiotics. (Current biosecurity protocols may even aid in their emergence by selecting against strains that are easier to eliminate.)

  • This has already been demonstrated in North american poultry barns with the IBD virus. which has become more virulent in the decades following the emergence of intensive operations. It has since spread around the world, despite culls, vaccines, quarantines, and all manner of biosecurity measures. (Research has linked the immune-weakening effects of IBD to recent outbreaks of H5N1 avian flu in Hong Kong.)

  • In contrast, in a 2002 avian flu outbreak in Virginia, all flocks within the "Hot Zone" were tested. While several confined flocks of all breeds and ages were infected, none of the backyard flocks were infected.

  • University tests have found lower bacterial contamination in pasture poultry: less than 4% of that in conventional poultry

  • another study showed that heritage turkey breeds had better immune function, lower death rates, and more nutrients like vitamin C than industrial turkeys.

  • Several studies have recognized the nutritional benefits of pastured poultry products, especially related to essential fatty acids like omega-3 and CLa.

Taking these facts into account, we can reach the following conclusions:

  • There is reason to suspect that the current strain of H5N1 emerged from an intensive operation and then spread in areas where large numbers of birds and large human populations are in close contact (a situation that doesn't exist in Canada).

  • Previous experience (with poultry and swine diseases on the small-scale and BSE and foot and mouth disease on a tragic scale) tells us that this "exposure avoidance" approach to disease control is bound to fail sooner or later. as the old adage goes, "Nature always bats last."

  • There is evidence to suggest that either the genetics or the environment (or both) of properly cared-for outdoor flocks confers some resistance to avian flu, as well as providing nutritional benefits to those who consume "pastured poultry" products.

These conclusions suggest that the recent measures taken by the Quebec government are probably unnecessary, will be ineffective at best, and will be very likely highly counterproductive. a more effective strategy would be to focus on avoiding the mutation of the virus to its lethal form. This strategy would include:

  • Researching what factors make birds (and humans) healthier and less susceptible to flu viruses--a "health-building" rather than "exposure avoidance" approach

  • Working with farmers of all sizes and types of operations to build the health and strengthen the immune system of their birds.

  • Encouraging small, genetically-diverse flocks in order to reduce the risk of mutation and to preserve genetic material for future generations--this is the same strategy nature has successfully employed for thousands of years

Not only will these measures protect the health of our birds and our human population, they will also preserve and increase the quality and diversity of the poultry products available to consumers. This in turn will benefit farmers and rural communities by reducing the concentration of market power that would otherwise accelerate--a problem made very clear by the BSE crisis and one that is plaguing the entire farm sector.

Let's hope that the Quebec government reconsiders its position, and that all governments across Canada work with the entire farm community to create a balanced, rational approach to this and other livestock disease concerns.

(Rob Wallbridge was born and raised on a family farm in Ontario and obtained a Bachelor of arts & Science Degree from McMaster University in 1995. He currently works as an organic agricultural consultant and operates a diversified certified organic farm near Shawville, Quebec with his wife and child.)

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