Hi fellow bird lovers,
I thought this probably should be circulated widely to the birding community so folks are aware of what to look for and how to be safe when/if collecting dead birds. If anyone see’s anything suspicious the safest bet is to report it as
soon as possible to the regional IDFG office so staff can handle it. Probably better than having public collecting dead birds but if you do collect, please adhere to the safety guidelines below.
Thanks,
Tempe
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High Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) is on the move and impacting domestic livestock in Virginia and Kentucky.
Additional background
Avian influenza (AI) is caused by an influenza type A virus which can infect poultry (such as chickens, turkeys, pheasants, quail, domestic ducks, geese, and guinea fowl) and is carried by free flying waterfowl such as ducks, geese and shorebirds. AI viruses
are classified by a combination of two groups of proteins: hemagglutinin or “H” proteins, of which there are 16 (H1–H16), and neuraminidase or “N” proteins, of which there are 9 (N1–N9). Many different combinations of “H” and “N” proteins are possible. Each
combination is considered a different subtype and can be further broken down into different strains which circulate within flyways/geographic regions. AI viruses are further classified by their pathogenicity (low or high)—the ability of a particular virus
strain to produce disease in domestic poultry.
All cases in commercial and backyard flocks will be listed on the APHIS website at
https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/ourfocus/animalhealth/animal-disease-information/avian/avian-influenza/2022-hpai.
Practice good biosecurity and all bird owners should prevent contact between their birds and wild birds and report sick birds or unusual bird deaths to State/Federal officials, either through their state veterinarian or through APHIS’ toll-free number at 1-866-536-7593.
APHIS urges producers to consider bringing birds indoors when possible to further prevent exposures. Additional information on biosecurity for backyard flocks can be found at https://healthybirds.aphis.usda.gov.
Currently in Idaho, we are not aware of any significant losses of migratory birds and there have been no documented cases of avian influenza. However, we do need be aware and be on the lookout for dead birds. A very High Pathogenic strain of avian influenza
swept through Europe last year and made the jump via summer breed ground aggregation in Iceland to migratory birds to Newfoundland and down the Atlantic flyway this fall and winter. Cases have since spread westerly and north as birds have migrated north this
spring through the Mississipi and Central flyway. There have been major domestic poultry losses as well as many wild bird losses including wild turkeys in the southeast and multiple species of migratory birds –both waterfowl and non-waterfowl species. Recent
major cases in Kansas, Nebraska, and Colorado have involved snow geese.
There has only on case documented in the Pacific Flyway and that was from a bald eagle off Vancouver Island, BC – there have been no other cases and this is speculated at
this point to have originated from some other circumpolar migration that has not yet been identified.
This Hi Path strain of avian influenza a very high transmission rate among birds and very high lethality. It does not appear to be easily transmissible to humans BUT it
CAN happen.
It seems inevitable that we will see cases, but when is uncertain.
What are we looking for?
∙ Mortality involving raptors, waterfowl and waterbirds (ducks, geese, swans, shorebirds, loons, grebes, coots, egrets, herons, cranes, pelicans),
or avian scavengers (ravens, crows, or gulls) observed with clinical signs consistent with neurological impairment
o Neurological signs may include swimming or walking in circles, moving the head in a “jerky” motion, and holding the neck and
head in an unusual position (more drastic than simply drooping). Neurological signs associated with HPAI infection are not well characterized;. Video and photos are strongly encouraged.
Please let Idaho Department of Fish and Game and/or the IDFG Wildlife Health Lab know if you are seeing any:
∙ Mortality events involving ≥5 individuals of free-living wildlife species.
∙ Mortality involving <5 individuals of free-living wildlife if the case includes:
o Federal or State endangered/threatened species, candidate species, species of special management concern
Please emphasize strict adherence to PPE requirements as advised below for anyone picking up dead birds if a mortality event is detected.
Birds need to be collected using proper PPE (masks and gloves) and double-bagged. Birds can be kept frozen until shipment to the wildlife lab which should be arranged though
communication with WHL (wildlifelab@…). If directing members of the public to pick-up carcasses, please instruct them on
proper handling procedures. While the current strain of HPAI (H5N1) is considered low risk to people, there are some of us who have job-related or recreational exposure that may put us at a higher risk. The CDC has Provided the following instruction:
“If you must handle wild birds or sick or dead poultry, minimize direct contact by wearing gloves and wash your hands with soap and water after
touching birds. If available, wear respiratory protection such as a medical facemask. Change your clothing before contact with healthy domestic poultry and birds after handling wild birds, and discard the gloves and facemask, and then wash your hands with
soap and water. “
Please visit for up-to-date info on HPAI in 2022:
https://www.usgs.gov/centers/nwhc/science/distribution-highly-pathogenic-avian-influenza-north-america-20212022
***********************
Tempe Regan
(she/her)
Regional Wildlife Diversity Biologist
Idaho Department of Fish and Game
99 US-93
Salmon, ID 83467
Office: 208.756.2271
Mobile: 406.396.4856