US bird flu plans near 'state of the art'-official

WASHINGTON, Oct 6 (Reuters) US preparations against a possible outbreak of the deadly form of the H5N1 avian flu virus are solid, but other countries may not be as ready, a US health safety official warned.

''We're ... close to the state-of-the-art in the United States with preparations and strong biosecurity measures,'' said Ambassador John Lange, the State Department's special representative on avian and pandemic influenza.

But abroad, ''it's a mixed bag,'' Lange said during a meeting of poultry industry leaders in Washington.

The United States is spending 392 million dollars over two years, Lange said, to help other countries prepare for a possible human outbreak of the disease, known as bird flu.

US support has included sending experts and laboratory equipment to other nations, he said.

The H5N1 avian flu virus has killed at least 148 people since 2003, mostly in Asia. Currently, the disease affects birds almost exclusively. But health officials fear mutations could make it spread between humans more easily.

Lange said it was especially challenging for poor countries to gird for an outbreak because they don't have resources for sufficient surveillance, culling, and vaccinations.

Sherrill Davison, director of an avian medicine and pathology laboratory at the University of Pennsylvania, gave industry officials details about ongoing testing of US bird flocks and other watchdog and safety measures.

''Over the years our diagnostics have become quicker ... we know that they work,'' she said.

She said poultry companies and agriculture officials were now working with law enforcement and emergency coordinators to plan a response to a possible outbreak.

If a dangerous case is suspected, Davison said, flocks would be quarantined and could be killed and buried on-site.

The National Chicken Council says nearly all US chicken producers test their flocks for avain influenza before marketing but no cases of the dangerous types of bird flu have been found.

Lampkin Butts, president and chief operating officer of Sanderson Farms, a large US poultry firm, said US precautions were working well, but warned that the threat of avian flu would increase during the upcoming winter season.

''The challenge remains for our industry to continue our testing programs ... to continue to monitor our biosecurity programs and ... to be able to react decisively in the event any bird flu is discovered,'' Butts said during a panel discussion with peers from other top firms.

Michael Doyle, director of the University of Georgia's Center for Food Safety, said consumers' fears about getting bird flu from eating eggs and chicken need to be allayed.

Because the virus is normally transmitted by contact with live animals, not by handling or cooking poultry, he pointed to a Nigerian proverb as the best advice: ''Don't sleep with your chickens.'' Reuters DKS VP0445