Avian Influenza
Recent news reports confirming that avian influenza was detected in a Yolo County backyard poultry flock have sparked inquiries as to how wild birds are being affected by the virus, and what people can do about it. County public health officers stress that the risk to the general public from bird flu remains low, but that people who work with dairy cows, poultry, or wildlife should wear protective equipment, and that Yolo County residents should not touch wild birds, or other sick or dead wildlife, and avoid consumption of raw milk or raw dairy products at this time. More detail here.
Caspian Terns and Herring Gulls | Photo by Kenneth Haas
Bird flu has affected millions of domestic and wild birds across the country.
To track the spread and effects of bird flu, the USDA and other state and federal wildlife agencies are collecting samples from tens of thousands of wild birds, especially ducks. Scientists are particularly concerned about impacts on vulnerable avian species, like some colonial water birds and birds of prey. As one example, in June of 2023 over 1,500 Caspian Terns died from bird flu on Lake Michigan’s islands, which accounted for 60% of Wisconsin’s population of the species. Effects on Bald Eagles are also a concern, with over 300 testing positive for the virus in 2022. California Condors, because they inhabit more remote areas, were thought to be less vulnerable to the spread of bird flu, but last spring 21 condors were confirmed to have died from bird flu in Arizona.
California Condor, Navajo Bridge, Colorado | Photo by Wendy Keefover
While, ultimately, conservation scientists may have limited ability to curb circulation of bird flu among wild populations, this means it is more important than ever that steps be taken to address the threats to wild birds that we can do something about in order to enhance their resiliency. Chief among these is habitat conservation, as well as tools like use of non-lead ammunition by hunters, since lead poisoning continues to be a primary cause of condor fatalities.
What can we do as individuals?
- Keep backyard bird feeders and bird baths clean, and if you are not able to clean them regularly take them down. Use gloves and wash your hands after cleaning.
- If you keep backyard poultry flocks, keep pens clean and areas where feed and water sources are kept inaccessible to wild animals and birds.
- Avoid direct contact with wild birds and do not touch sick or dead birds. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife recommends the following: hunters should wear gloves, face masks and eye protection when dressing wild game birds in the field, and afterwards throw away gloves and masks and wash hands with soap and water. More information here.
- If you find a dead bird, you can report it to one of the following:
- In California, the Wildlife Health Lab is monitoring wild bird populations for signs of illness and continues to investigate mortality events and conduct surveillance testing for bird flu. The CA Department of Fish and Wildlife asks members of the public to report dead wild birds that are found to the Wildlife Health Lab’s online mortality system here.
- Yolo County advises the public to report dead birds to the West Nile hotline here or by phone at 1(877)968-2473.
- The CDC website advises members of the public to report dead birds to the USDA here or by phone at 1(866)536-7593.
- If the agency you contact tells you to dispose of the bird in the trash, use gloves and a plastic bag, and wash your hands.
–Genevieve Colborn and Ann Brice