Avian Flu raises its Ugly Head in Eastern US!!

[SailBoat]

Reports have been increasing in the Eastern half of the United States of Avian Flu (Bird Flu) at both large Chicken and Turkey farms, but also small mix bird (free ranging) flocks. Although, no large regional warnings have been issues. Officials are become concern regain the large distances between the Hot Spots in which there have been confirmed outbreaks.

Again, no warnings have been released! That said, the wise owner should begin taking care to use proper Bio-Hazard practices with their Free Ranging Avians /medium to small Farm Flocks. Sick or Dead Avians should be reported to their local AG repersentatives.

 

[Laurasea]

I have followed this some myself.

 

[StormyPica]

Reports have been increasing in the Eastern half of the United States of Avian Flu (Bird Flu) at both large Chicken and Turkey farms, but also small mix bird (free ranging) flocks. Although, no large regional warnings have been issues. Officials are become concern regain the large distances between the Hot Spots in which there have been confirmed outbreaks.

Again, no warnings have been released! That said, the wise owner should begin taking care to use proper Bio-Hazard practices with their Free Ranging Avians /medium to small Farm Flocks. Sick or Dead Avians should be reported to their local AG repersentatives.

Wow, that sounds horrible. I hope it is contained and doesn't spread to other parts of the US and beyond, that would be devastating (and already is for those whose flocks have it).

 

[SailBoat]

The great concern is that it will spread as we are entering Spring Migration Season where millions of returning Birds could be bringing this virus with them or catching it and spreading it from Hot Spots.

This virus had crossed-over the species barrier in the pass and it tends to target the young. One may remember that State and National AG's shut-down 4-H programs and shows. From a timeline point the last time we saw this virus, in North America, was when the US's President was Vice-President.

 

[StormyPica]

The great concern is that it will spread as we are entering Spring Migration Season where millions of returning Birds could be bringing this virus with them or catching it and spreading it from Hot Spots.

This virus had crossed-over the species barrier in the pass and it tends to target the young. One may remember that State and National AG's shut-down 4-H programs and shows. From a timeline point the last time we saw this virus, in North America, was when the US's President was Vice-President.

That's horrible and very concerning, especially for our parrots and other birds.

 

[vljenewein]

Would not this only affect those of outdoor aviaries?

 

[StormyPica]

Would not this only affect those of outdoor aviaries?

It would still be devastating for people who bring their birds outside.

 

[SailBoat]

The reports along the Eastern Flyway and the Mid-Eastern Flyway East of the Mississippi as more State Ag groups report 'Hot Spots' (out-breaks) in their State. At present, it appears to be spearing by Migrating Birds as they push North following Large Storm systems that pull across North America as no wide spread Out-Breaks had occurred. At this point, the warnings are targeting small 'Outdoor' flocks of Farm Birds with recommendations of keeping them inside.

As the weather continues to warm and more individuals are outside. The changes of bring the Virus inside increases as individuals partake in Spring clean-up, yard work and early gardening. As a result, it becomes important to practice good bio-protection by changing clothing and hand-washing, prior to interacting with your indoor Parrots.

A present the the Southern areas of Northern States seem most effected as the Virus follows non-snow covered areas.

 

[StormyPica]

The reports along the Eastern Flyway and the Mid-Eastern Flyway East of the Mississippi as more State Ag groups report 'Hot Spots' (out-breaks) in their State. At present, it appears to be spearing by Migrating Birds as they push North following Large Storm systems that pull across North America as no wide spread Out-Breaks had occurred. At this point, the warnings are targeting small 'Outdoor' flocks of Farm Birds with recommendations of keeping them inside.

As the weather continues to warm and more individuals are outside. The changes of bring the Virus inside increases as individuals partake in Spring clean-up, yard work and early gardening. As a result, it becomes important to practice good bio-protection by changing clothing and hand-washing, prior to interacting with your indoor Parrots.

A present the the Southern areas of Northern States seem most effected as the Virus follows non-snow covered areas.

Will keep in mind, thanks.

 

[SailBoat]

No reason to believe me:
NOTE: Clearly this if from Connecticuts Wildlife Biologist. Each affected State's staff can provide you a like document for your Eastern United State's Ag Office.

Notice from:
Laurie Fortin
Wildlife Biologist

I would strongly recommend you do not take your birds anywhere public other than the vet. Do not take your birds for walks anywhere near waterfowl, chickens, ducks, or turkeys. If you see a sick bird outside, best not to handle it in case it has HPAI. Make sure you wash your hands after coming in from outside and consider setting up a foot bath, especially if you are anywhere near waterfowl, chickens, ducks, or turkeys.

From the DEEP today:

• The strain of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) virus that has been detected across the eastern US was detected in live, wild Mallards in Connecticut in mid-February.
• While it is circulating mostly in waterfowl species, black vultures, bald eagles, terns, gulls and other species have also tested positive and many birds have tested positive in states along the east coast.
• This strain has the high potential to cause mortality events in commercial and backyard poultry. Mortality in wild birds is relatively rare at this time. Appropriate biosecurity measures should be taken to prevent transmission between birds. All sick birds must be quarantined and kept isolated from any other birds in your care.

Please assist us by reporting to the following people any mortality events in waterfowl, raptors and other avian scavengers where birds are exhibiting neurological impairment or found dead, especially near facilities housing domestic birds to:
[email protected], [email protected] and [email protected]
And please report on the dead bird reporting webpage: http://www.cfwwildbirdmortalityreporting.ct.gov/
We are particularly interested in:

• Mortality events involving waterfowl (ducks, geese, or swans) or other water birds (loons, grebes, coots, shorebirds, or wading birds such as egrets, herons, or cranes) where neurologic symptoms were reported.
• Mortality events involving raptors, ravens, crows and gulls or individuals of these species exhibiting neurological impairment.

Avian Influenza viruses are very contagious among birds. These viruses don't always kill or cause illness in their host (ex. waterfowl), however, they can sicken and kill domesticated birds such as chickens, ducks and turkeys and in rare cases, infect other hosts like humans, pigs and horses. Infected birds shed virus in their saliva, nasal secretions and feces. Fresh feces and nasal secretions at any temperature are highly infectious. Birds can transmit virus through direct contact with one another and/or these viruses can be picked up in the environment. The viruses can live for long periods in water (potentially up to 200 days) and large amounts of virus is shed in the water by infected birds for a period that could last up to four weeks; as a result, contact with a contaminated aquatic environment can easily result in many infections. These viruses tend to persist in water environments for longer periods when at lower temperatures.

Always make sure to:
* Wear protective clothing including aprons, coveralls, rubber boots, rubber or latex gloves, eye protection, and face shields that can be disinfected or discarded to prevent skin and mucous membrane contact with biological materials and movement of biological materials between sites if you are rescuing birds that may be exhibiting neurological symptoms or in cases involving multiple mortalities.
* Work in well-ventilated areas or upwind of birds to decrease the risk of inhaling airborne particulate matter such as dust, feathers, or dander.
* Wear a particulate respirator (NIOSH N95 respirator/mask or better) when working in confined spaces.
* Wash hands often and thoroughly for at least 30 seconds with soap or alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
* Avoid eating, drinking, or smoking while handling sick or dying birds.
* Decontaminate work areas and take appropriate measures to prevent inadvertent movement of infectious material to other locations.

As always, wild birds and domestic birds should never be housed together or in close proximity to one another. If you have domestic ducks, geese, chickens or gamebirds you should avoid taking in any sick or dying birds from the wild.

Domestic birds may show the following symptoms:

• Sudden death without clinical signs
• Lack of energy and appetite
• Decreased egg production and/or soft or misshapen eggs
• Swelling of the head, eyelids, comb, wattles and hocks
• Purple discoloration of the wattles, combs and legs
• Nasal coloration, coughing, sneezing
• Incoordination
• Diarrhea

Call the state veterinarian at 860-713-2505 or USDA Veterinary Services at 1-866-536-7593 to report sick and dead birds. Assistance is available at no charge.

DO NOT FEED WILDLIFE AND DISCOURAGE OTHERS FROM DOING SO
Feeding waterfowl will result in congregating birds and in unsanitary conditions. Large quantities of highly pathogenic H5N1 virus can be excreted by birds that look healthy, thereby, infecting birds at the same location.

CDC states that 'while the health risk posed to the general public by domestic HPAI outbreaks is low, it is possible that human infections with these viruses could occur.' Therefore, it is important to take added precautions while responding to sick and dying bird cases. Additional information on safe work practices for working with wildlife is available from USGS.

Laurie Fortin
Wildlife Biologist
Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection

 

[StormyPica]

No reason to believe me:
NOTE: Clearly this if from Connecticuts Wildlife Biologist. Each affected State's staff can provide you a like document for your Eastern United State's Ag Office.

Notice from:
Laurie Fortin
Wildlife Biologist

That's kind of confusing...
Anyhow, VT is near CT, so I will contact 'the people' to see if it's a concern in my state. That would be useful to know, especially since I have an aviary.

 

[ravvlet]

I’ve been following this too. Hate to hear it’s getting worse. We have seagulls here and crows, but the largest wild bird population in Seattle has got to be pigeons! We have a nest of them on one of the neighbor’s roofs.

We happen to have a very small (6 individuals) backyard flock of coturnix quail in a large ground pen. So far they all seem fine, but the door to the back garden is in Kirby’s room. I am careful to wash my hands before touching his things after feeding the girls, but I am going to definitely stop using his door to go out there at all and just go out around the front. I’ll wash the doormat and my “outdoor slippers” too. Makes cleaning his cage an absolute pain though, as even if it weren’t for the quail there are enough wild birds to give me pause about rolling his set up outside for cleaning.

It’s not just the northeastern coastal US anymore - they found a case in Iowa, a commercial turkey flock. Geez. Like 2022 wasn’t crazy enough. I am biting my nails as this junk inches closer to my side of the US!

 

[StormyPica]

According to the officials, Avian Flu has not yet been detected in VT, but had been detected in all surrounding states. I wonder if there is a safe way to bring the birds out, they really enjoy it, but their safety ALWAYS comes first.

Edit: I will not be bringing my birds outside if there is any detection or suspicion of the influenza in VT. I will have to look into it more, but it seems fairly severe.

 

[StormyPica]

It's also a good idea to notify friends who have birds, just in case they don't know. I told one of my friends who keeps chickens, she knew nothing about it, but was very glad I told her.

 

[Laurasea]

Sailboat, hand washing before touching your burd their food or water is just plain a great habit !

I go through a lot of hand soap. As this is something I do.

 

[StormyPica]

Sailboat, hand washing before touching your burd their food or water is just plain a great habit !

I go through a lot of hand soap. As this is something I do.

I don't do that too often, and although I probably should, my family has a history of chronically dry hands (they split, bleed, and almost no creams or ointment can help), and also obsessive hand washing.

I will be doing this way more with the outbreak, mainly to keep my birds safe. My birds do free roam my room though, which makes it hard, and I don't want to become an obsessive hand-washer with chronically dry hands like my younger sister and mother. I guess I just have to find the perfect balance.

 

[ravvlet]

I don't do that too often, and although I probably should, my family has a history of chronically dry hands (they split, bleed, and almost no creams or ointment can help), and also obsessive hand washing.

I will be doing this way more with the outbreak, mainly to keep my birds safe. My birds do free roam my room though, which makes it hard, and I don't want to become an obsessive hand-washer with chronically dry hands like my younger sister and mother. I guess I just have to find the perfect balance.

I feel you on the dry hands. The week I disinfected Kirby’s playstands/cage/perches in addition to scrubbing them down, it was cold, and even though I wore gloves my hands cracked and bled in several places! We have dogs and a cat so I generally wash my hands well before touching Kirby’s things!

Have you tried oat/honey soaps for people with eczema? I was complaining about this problem to a friend who has it, and she just stared at me for a minute and was like “that’s not normal, you know that right? You probably have eczema too!”

 

[StormyPica]

I feel you on the dry hands. The week I disinfected Kirby’s playstands/cage/perches in addition to scrubbing them down, it was cold, and even though I wore gloves my hands cracked and bled in several places! We have dogs and a cat so I generally wash my hands well before touching Kirby’s things!

Have you tried oat/honey soaps for people with eczema? I was complaining about this problem to a friend who has it, and she just stared at me for a minute and was like “that’s not normal, you know that right? You probably have eczema too!”

I don't have chronically dry hands, but I will recommend this to my sister and mother, thank you!

 

[SailBoat]

Well, the Bird Poop has hit the FAN and we have gone from a few hot spots to now 24 States reporting mid-to-wide-spread large infections occurs as Egg Farms, Chicken and Turkey Farms with 10-tens of thousands of Chickens and Turkeys being Kill In Mass!!

Egg and chicken meat Prices had been on the raise, but will be skyrocketing now that high-fuel, high Feed and high levels of Chickens being killed!

If you are in North America, Keep Your Companion Parrot(s) inside!!
This includes Free ranging Chickens!!

Not seeing much regarding transfer to Humans as of this moment but!!

It's Here Folks.

 

[GaleriaGila]

Hey, Boatsy, how ya doin'? Thanks for the thread.

When the Rb and I were still living in New Mexico, and the avian flu was making some of its first rounds, there was a huge amount of fear and hysteria. I don't know what the community percentages were, but there were at least a couple of bird to human transmissions, ACCORDING to headlines I recall. As paranoid as I am, I did my usual wayyy-overboard-precautions. It's a scary thing alright. I like being paranoid. It's a nice hobby, and I have a 37-year-old Rickeybird to show for it.

Wait... that's a good thing, right?

"RIGHT!"​