HARRISBURG (TNS) — More than a thousand wild birds of 55 species have been infected with the highly pathogenic avian influenza, which also is known as bird flu, according to the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
About 200 cases have been found in snow geese and mallards each, while nearly 70 cases have been detected in American wigeon, 60 each in Canada geese and Ross’s green, 55 in bald eagles, about 40 each in American green-winged teal and black vultures, 34 in gadwalls, and more than 20 each in red-tailed hawks, lesser scaup, great horned owls and wood ducks.
Other species with lower numbers of detected infections are American crow, American white pelican, barred owl, blue-winged teal, brown pelican, common goldeneye, common grackle, common loon, Cooper’s hawk, cormorant, great blue heron, greater white-footed goose, herring gull, hooded merganser, laughing gull, lesser snow goose, Muscovy duck, mute swan, northern pintail, northern shoveler, pheasant, red-shouldered hawk, redhead duck, ring-billed duck, ring-necked duck, ruddy duck, sanderling, sandhill crane, snowy owl, trumpeter swan, turkey vulture and wild turkey.
In Pennsylvania, beyond several domestic poultry flocks, bird flu has officially been detected in a bald eagle and five mergansers.
But unofficial chatter on social media indicates more cases in additional species in Pennsylvania likely will be recorded by APHIS
“This year’s outbreak is more effective at infecting and killing wild birds than the last outbreak in 2014 and 2015,” noted the American Bird Conservancy, a national bird conservation non-profit that has asked people to take action to limit the disease’s spread.
“There’s a lot we don’t yet know about this outbreak of avian flu, but with billions of wild birds moving across the continent on migration, we’re asking everyone to take some common-sense steps,” said Mike Parr, president of the ABC.
The ABC urges, “If an avian flu outbreak is reported in your area, consider pausing any feeding of birds at least until this wildlife morbidity/mortality event is over.”
Unlike with the mystery bird disease that impacted a wide range of common backyard bird species last spring, the Pennsylvania Game Commission has not called for birders to empty their feeders and bird baths with the current spread of disease.
“Removing bird feeders is typically recommended to reduce any disease spread among groups of birds. Given that the breeding season is starting in the U.S. and Canada, many feeder birds are now more reliant on invertebrates like caterpillars and grasshoppers. During the breeding season, chicks need protein for rapid growth; hardworking parent birds also benefit from a solid dose of insect- and spider-based protein.
{p class=”krtText”}“You can still help birds coming to your yard. Creating a backyard that supports birds and other wildlife luckily isn’t dependent on feeders. Incorporating native plants into your yard is a great option at any time. Many native plants provide naturally grown food, including berries and nectar, and also attract invertebrates that birds seek. If you maintain native trees, shrubs, and vines on the landscape, you will also encourage birds to nest in your yard or stop for a quick rest during spring or fall migration.”
{p class=”krtText”}Since the first case of the bird flu was discovered in a Lancaster County poultry flock, more than 3.8 million birds have been destroyed at six farms in that same county.
{p class=”krtText”}The disease is mainly spread through direct contact between healthy birds and bodily waste from infected birds.
{p class=”krtText”}It can cause sudden death without clinical signs; lack of energy and appetite; decreased egg production; soft-shelled or misshapen eggs; swelling of the head, eyelids, comb, wattles, and hocks; purple discoloration of the wattles, combs, and legs; nasal discharge, coughing, sneezing, lack of coordination and diarrhea.
{p class=”krtText”}Anyone who suspects poultry is infected with avian influenza can report concerns 24 hours a day, seven days a week to the Pennsylvania Bureau of Animal Health and Diagnostic Services at (717) 772-2852, option 1.
{p class=”krtText”}Sick or dead wild birds should be reported to the Pennsylvania Game Commission at (610) 926-3136 or pgc-wildlifehealth@pa.gov.
{p class=”krtText”}For more information about avian influenza, visit the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture website.
