UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- Public health agencies and agricultural officials around the world are preparing for the eventuality of an influenza pandemic, perhaps fueled by the spread and mutation of avian flu strains that already have affected tens of millions of birds and killed dozens of people in Southeast Asia.

Researchers and extension specialists in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences are playing important roles in the fight against avian flu, working to enhance detection and diagnosis and to educate poultry producers and the public about disease prevention and biosecurity.

The following Penn State experts can serve as media sources for stories related to avian influenza:

John Enck (814-863-0838; jie2@psu.edu), senior research associate in veterinary and biomedical sciences and director of Penn State's Animal Diagnostic Laboratory. Formerly the Pennsylvania state veterinarian and director of the Department of Agriculture's Bureau of Animal Health and Diagnostic Services, Enck can discuss disease eradication and regulatory issues and the role of the Pennsylvania Animal Diagnostic Laboratory System in detecting and responding to disease outbreaks.

Patricia Dunn (814-863-1983; pad7@psu.edu), senior research associate in veterinary and biomedical sciences. Dunn is an avian veterinarian/field investigator and head of the avian medicine section in Penn State's Animal Diagnostic Laboratory. A veterinary poultry specialist who is board-certified in poultry medicine, she has worked on several avian influenza outbreaks in Pennsylvania.

Huaguang Lu (814-863-4369; hxl15@psu.edu), senior research associate in veterinary and biomedical sciences. Lu is an avian virologist who developed a rapid diagnostic test that can detect all subtypes of avian influenza virus in just a few hours, compared to several days for conventional tests. His test is being patented, and he has traveled to Southeast Asia three times in 18 months to help establish virology laboratories and train scientists in avian flu diagnostics.

Eva Wallner-Pendleton (814-863-0838; eaw10@psu.edu), senior research associate and veterinary poultry specialist in veterinary and biomedical sciences. An avian diagnostician and field investigator in Penn State's Animal Diagnostic Laboratory, Wallner-Pendleton is board-certified in poultry medicine. She is knowledgeable about avian toxicology and the interactions between avian diseases and management practices.

Gregory Martin, (717-394-6851; gpm10@psu.edu), poultry extension educator. From his base in Lancaster County, Martin provides poultry educational programs throughout the Capital Region of Penn State Extension. Among his areas of expertise are poultry production, management and biosecurity.

James Dunn (814-865-0460; jwd6@psu.edu), professor of agricultural economics. Dunn can discuss the economic implications of avian influenza for the U.S. poultry industry.

For more information, visit the Web at http://www.cas.psu.edu/docs/biosecurity/ANIMAL/AI/default.html.

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***MEDIA ADVISORY -- NOT FOR PUBLICATION***

Chuck Gill Office 814-863-2713 Penn State Ag Sciences News