Initially printed April 2022. Up to date April 2024 to replicate additional developments within the outbreak.
Many individuals are involved concerning the outbreak of avian influenza, or fowl flu, that started in 2022 and has affected home poultry, waterfowl, raptors, shorebirds, different species of birds, and a few mammals in lots of elements of the world. As a result of the present pressure (H5N1) causes heavy losses to poultry, it’s known as extremely pathogenic avian influenza, or HPAI. Notice that the Facilities for Illness Management considers transmission of avian influenza from birds to humans to be very rare. To this point, two individuals within the U.S. have examined constructive for avian influenza: a poultry worker in Colorado in April 2022 and a worker at a dairy farm in March 2024; each confirmed delicate signs and recovered.
Stories of Avian Flu in Birds
This specific pressure of avian influenza virus impacts all kinds of untamed birds, together with hawks, eagles, falcons, owls, crows, vultures, shorebirds, sport birds, seabirds, and particularly waterfowl corresponding to Canada Geese and Mallards (see list of species with HPAI detections, beneath). The virus is shed within the saliva, mucus, and feces of contaminated birds and is transmitted to different birds through ingestion or inhalation.
Due to the period of this outbreak, its latest unfold to mammal species, and widespread mortalities in some kinds of wild birds, there was concern about whether or not it’s protected for individuals to feed wild birds. In April 2022 and March 2023, we checked in with Dr. Julianna Lenoch, who directs the USDA APHIS National Wildlife Disease Program, and we’ve compiled the next summaries of key factors relating to HPAI, particularly amongst songbirds and different feeder guests. As of April 2024, there isn’t a official suggestion for individuals to take down fowl feeders due to the chance of avian influenza (see subsequent part).
Low Danger of Avian Flu to Songbirds
There was widespread transmission of avian flu to wild fowl species together with waterfowl and raptors. The virus has additionally been present in mammals that prey on useless birds. Nevertheless, transmission to songbirds and different typical feeder guests has been low (lower than 2% of all circumstances reported in wild birds), though this will likely change with elevated testing or modifications to the virus. Which means there’s at the moment low danger of an outbreak amongst wild songbirds, and no official suggestion to take down feeders except you additionally hold home poultry, in line with the Nationwide Wildlife Illness Program. We do all the time suggest that you just clean bird feeders and birdbaths regularly as a strategy to hold many sorts of ailments at bay.
We additionally all the time suggest that you just observe any suggestions put out by your state authorities, even in circumstances the place that recommendation conflicts with ours. The CDC’s page on avian influenza in birds compiles further useful info and assets.
How do we all know songbirds are at low danger?
- USDA APHIS has a powerful, multiyear surveillance program that routinely samples wild birds, together with flocks of songbirds (and different species corresponding to Rock Pigeons and Mourning Doves which can be usually round people), for the presence of avian influenza. Since January 2022 they’ve detected the HPAI pressure in 8,447 wild birds (plus 849 captive birds), with 153 detections in wild songbirds (see beneath for a list of species). Latest info about the outbreak.
- Avian influenza doesn’t have an effect on all kinds of birds equally. The “extremely pathogenic” a part of the time period HPAI refers particularly to the severity of the illness in poultry, not essentially in different fowl species. For instance, waterfowl usually carry and transmit fowl flu, and with the present pressure they often get sick or die. Raptors are way more delicate to the illness. Home poultry are extraordinarily inclined to HPAI and unfold the illness simply, resulting in as much as 100% mortality of affected flocks.
- Songbirds are a lot much less possible than waterfowl to contract avian influenza and fewer prone to shed giant quantities of virus, that means they don’t transmit the illness simply. (See Shriner and Root 2020 for an in depth evaluation within the journal Viruses.)
- In response to a separate research within the Journal of Wildlife Ailments, “…though passerines and terrestrial wild birds could have a restricted position within the epidemiology of IAV [avian influenza A viruses] when related to contaminated home poultry or different aberrant hosts, there isn’t a proof supporting their involvement as pure reservoirs for IAV.” (Slusher et al. 2014)
- For these causes, it’s unlikely that fowl feeders will contribute to an outbreak amongst songbirds.
If songbirds are at low danger, why are individuals who hold poultry suggested to take down their fowl feeders?
- The principle concern with songbirds is the prospect {that a} uncommon particular person would possibly transmit an an infection to poultry. This can be a concern as a result of poultry are a lot extra susceptible than songbirds to HPAI.
- The important thing intervention is to maintain songbirds away from poultry; it’s much less vital to maintain songbirds away from one another.
- In case you have a yard poultry flock, these are a very powerful steps to take:
(click on for full data on these biosecurity measures from USDA APHIS) - As a secondary measure, USDA APHIS recommends for poultry house owners to take down wild fowl feeders or hold them properly away from their captive flock
- When you hold chickens or geese, please see additionally newest info from the USDA Animal Plant and Health Inspection Service.
When you hold nest containers:
Avian influenza is simply hardly ever transmitted to people, in line with the USDA. The Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention considers the general public health risk from avian flu to be low. Nonetheless, our NestWatch venture all the time advises good hygiene and extremely recommends that individuals put on disposable gloves and/or wash their arms completely after checking nest containers. Most birds that use nest containers are songbirds, that are at low danger for contracting or transmitting avian influenza. When you monitor waterfowl or raptor nests (e.g., Wooden Duck, Widespread Merganser, Canada Goose, American Kestrel, Barred Owl), we recommend you put on gloves, change or wash gloves and disinfect tools between nest containers, put on a masks when cleansing out nest containers, and alter garments and footwear earlier than visiting any home poultry.
In case you are a wildlife rehabilitator:
Wildlife rehabilitators ought to take precautions when accepting sick birds in order that they don’t inadvertently introduce HPAI to the remainder of their sufferers. Right here’s further guidance for rehabbers, from USDA APHIS. Rehabbers in New York State are additionally inspired to contact the Cornell Wildlife Health Lab for extra info.
What to do if you happen to discover a sick or useless fowl:
Keep away from dealing with sick or useless birds. As a substitute, name your state wildlife well being company; they will decide reason behind demise and ship the fowl to the suitable lab for testing. Moreover, hold pets (together with pet birds) away from sick or useless wild birds.
- Keep away from contact with birds that seem sick or have died.
- Keep away from contact with surfaces which have fowl feces.
- When you should contact sick or useless birds:
- Put on gloves and a face masks.
- Place useless birds in a double-bagged rubbish bag.
- Throw away your gloves and facemask after use.
- Wash your arms properly with cleaning soap and heat water.
Chook flu isn’t a danger to meals security. Poultry and eggs which can be safely dealt with and cooked to an inside temperature of 165°F are fit for human consumption.
When you really feel sick after having contact with sick or useless birds, contact your well being care supplier.
Has Avian Flu Been Reported in Mammals?
There have additionally been stories of mammals corresponding to crimson foxes, skunks, bobcats, fishers, and bears contaminated with avian influenza, possible from consuming contaminated birds. Exterior the U.S. avian flu has contaminated farmed mink and has induced losses at marine mammal colonies in South America. In March 2024 the USDA reported that avian flu has been found in cattle in a number of U.S. states. The CDC has further info on avian flu in cattle and associated risks to humans.
Further Sources:
Wild fowl species with HPAI detections in 2022–2024
Up to date April 26, 2024. Complete variety of detections in wild birds: 8,447 (plus 849 captive birds). Detections in songbirds: 153. See Detections of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in Wild Birds for contemporary detections.
Songbirds (13 species)
American Crow (78 people, plus 9 unidentified crow spp.)
American Robin (1)
Black-billed Magpie (3, plus 4 unidentified magpie spp.)
Boat-tailed Grackle (1)
Widespread Grackle (3)
Widespread Raven (42)
Darkish-eyed Junco (1)
Fish Crow (5)
Grackle spp. (unidentified; 2)
Nice-tailed Grackle (3)
Home Sparrow (2)
Purple-winged Blackbird (1, plus 1 unidentified blackbird spp.)
Sparrow spp. (unidentified; 1)
Tree Swallow (1)
Non-Songbirds (138 species)
American Black Duck
American Coot
American Kestrel
American White Pelican
American Wigeon
Arctic Tern
Bald Eagle
Barn Owl
Barred Owl
Black Skimmer
Black Turnstone
Black Vulture
Black-bellied Plover
Black-crowned Evening-Heron
Black-legged Kittiwake
Blue-winged Teal
Bonaparte’s Gull
Brandt’s Cormorant
Brant
Broad-winged Hawk
Brown Pelican
Bufflehead
Cackling Goose
California Condor
California Gull
California Quail
Canada Goose
Canvasback
Caspian Tern
Cattle Egret
Cinnamon Teal
Widespread Eider
Widespread Goldeneye
Widespread Loon
Widespread Merganser
Widespread Murre
Widespread Tern
Cooper’s Hawk
Crested Caracara
Double-crested Cormorant
Dunlin
Eared Grebe
Japanese Screech-Owl
Forster’s Tern
Fulvous Whistling-Duck
Gadwall
Glaucous Gull
Glaucous-winged Gull
Shiny Ibis
Golden Eagle
Nice Black-backed Gull
Nice Blue Heron
Nice Egret
Nice Horned Owl
Larger Sage-Grouse
Larger Scaup
Larger White-fronted Goose
Inexperienced Heron
Inexperienced-winged Teal
Harris’s Hawk
Herring Gull
Hooded Merganser
Horned Grebe
Iceland Gull (Thayer’s)
Laughing Gull
Lesser Scaup
Lengthy-eared Owl
Mallard
Merlin
Mottled Duck
Muscovy Duck
Mute Swan
Neotropic Cormorant
Northern Fulmar
Northern Gannet
Northern Harrier
Northern Pintail
Northern Shoveler
Osprey
Pacific Loon
Parasitic Jaeger
Peregrine Falcon
Pied-billed Grebe
Prairie Falcon
Purple-necked Grebe
Purple-necked Phalarope
Purple-shouldered Hawk
Purple-tailed Hawk
Redhead
Ring-billed Gull
Ring-necked Duck
Ring-necked Pheasant
Roseate Spoonbill
Ross’s Goose
Tough-legged Hawk
Royal Tern
Ruddy Duck
Ruddy Turnstone
Ruffed Grouse
Sabine’s Gull
Sanderling
Sandhill Crane
Sandwich Tern
Sharp-shinned Hawk
Brief-billed Gull
Brief-eared Owl
Brief-tailed Shearwater
Snow Goose
Snowy Egret
Snowy Owl
Snowy Plover
Swainson’s Hawk
Trumpeter Swan
Tundra Swan
Turkey Vulture
Western Grebe
Western Gull
Western Sandpiper
Western Screech-Owl
White Ibis
White-winged Scoter
Wild Turkey
Willet
Wooden Duck
Wooden Stork
Avian flu has been detected in an extra 31 species of captive wild birds
