Hello everyone,
I wanted to pass the info below to as many in the birding community as I can
reach. It was sent to me by Erik Kiviat, ED of Hudsonia,Ltd.
Make sure to scroll down and read all the info.
Please heed the advice and share as you see fit.
Stay safe,
Larry Federman
Palenville, Greene County
From: Erik Kiviat
Sent: Tuesday, February 01, 2022 4:37 PM
To:
Subject: Fwd: [IBLE] Wildlife Health Bulletin: Status and Response to
Detections of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza H5N1 in North America
Important information about dead birds.
---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Regan,Tempe <tempe.re...@idfg.idaho.gov>
Date: Tue, Feb 1, 2022 at 4:30 PM
Subject: Re: [IBLE] Wildlife Health Bulletin: Status and Response to Detections
of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza H5N1 in North America
To: i...@groups.io <i...@groups.io>
If you happen to recover a sick or strange acting bird please be careful. Do
not handle without gloves and wear a mask. I know most of you are not field
biologists but as avid birders you may be the first to detect this in Idaho (I
really hope not). This can jump to humans and it can be deadly. I excerpted the
piece from the email about handling protocols.
Field biologists should consider these minimum precautions when handling sick
or dead birds associated with a morbidity/mortality event:
a.. Wear protective clothing including aprons, coveralls, rubber boots,
gloves (rubber, latex, or nitrile), 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 among sites.
b.. Work in well-ventilated areas or upwind of animals to decrease the risk
of inhaling airborne particulate matter such as dust, feathers, or dander.
c.. Wash hands often and thoroughly for at least 30 seconds with soap or
alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
d.. Do not eat, drink, or smoke while handling animals.
e.. Decontaminate work areas and properly dispose of potentially infectious
material including carcasses. The primary goal of carcass disposal (e.g.,
incineration, composting, certified landfilling) is to prevent the spread of
infectious agent.
f.. Your agency may also have policies regarding the use of particulate
respirators (N-95) while handling sick and dead wildlife.
***********************
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
From: Regan,Tempe
Sent: Tuesday, February 1, 2022 2:26 PM
To: IBLE <i...@groups.io>
Subject: FW: Wildlife Health Bulletin: Status and Response to Detections of
Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza H5N1 in North America
Something to keep your eyes open for…now detected in the Atlantic Flyway and
Canada…See attached.
Tempe
***********************
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
From: USGS-NWHC_Outreach <usgs-nwhc_outreach-boun...@listserv.usgs.gov> On
Behalf Of USGS NWHC Outreach
Sent: Tuesday, February 1, 2022 2:05 PM
To: usgs-nwhc_outre...@listserv.usgs.gov
Subject: [USGS NWHC outreach] Wildlife Health Bulletin: Status and Response to
Detections of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza H5N1 in North America
Wildlife Health Bulletin 2022-02
National Wildlife Health Center
Jonathan Sleeman, Center Director
February 1, 2022
Status and Response to Detections of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza H5N1 in
North America
Prepared with the assistance of Dr. Julianna Lenoch, USDA-APHIS National
Wildlife Disease Program, Dr. Samantha Gibbs, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
Wildlife Health Office, and Dr. Mark Ruder, Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife
Disease Study
Summary
a.. Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 has been detected in Canada
and three U.S. states in the Atlantic Flyway.
b.. A multi-agency active response to increase surveillance in wild birds is
underway.
c.. Enhanced vigilance for wild bird morbidity/mortality, and outreach to
stakeholder groups are encouraged.
On December 20, 2021, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency announced detection
of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 virus in a multi-species
exhibition farm in the Avalon Peninsula of Newfoundland and Labrador.
Subsequently, HPAI H5N1 virus was also confirmed in a small backyard flock and
two great black-backed gulls (GBBG, Larus marinus) in the same vicinity (Table
1). The gulls exhibited neurological signs and were admitted to wildlife
rehabilitators in November 2021. Phylogenic analyses indicate that all eight
segments of the viruses confirmed in Newfoundland and Labrador correspond to
Eurasian H5N1 viruses circulating in wild birds and poultry in Europe early in
2021 (Caliendo et al. 2022). On February 1, 2022, the Nova Scotia Department of
Natural Resources and Renewables announced the detection of avian influenza
virus in a Canada goose (CAGO, Branta canadensis) in the Grand Desert area of
Halifax Regional Municipality, Nova Scotia. While it is uncertain how the virus
was introduced to Canada, movement by wild waterfowl is suggested (OFFLU 2021).
Details of these events are being reported to the World Organisation for Animal
Health (OIE).
Province
Event
Virus
Onset Date
Number Affected
Newfoundland and Labrador
Exhibition Farm
H5N1
12/9/2021
340
Newfoundland and Labrador
Backyard Flock
H5N1
12/31/2021
4
Newfoundland and Labrador
GBBG1
H5N1
11/26/2021
1
Newfoundland and Labrador
GBBG2
H5N1
11/4/2021
1
Nova Scotia
CAGO
AI
1/2022
1
Table 1. Detections of avian influenza (AI) viruses in Newfoundland and
Labrador and Nova Scotia, Canada in winter 2021/2022, to-date.
On January 14, 2022, the U.S. Department of Agriculture - Animal and Plant
Health Inspection Service (USDA-APHIS) announced detection of HPAI H5N1 virus
in an American widgeon (Mareca americana) from Colleton County, South Carolina.
The duck was taken by a hunter on December 30, 2021 and sampled by USDA-APHIS
Wildlife Services (WS) as part of surveillance implemented by APHIS-National
Wildlife Disease Program in coordination with the U.S. Interagency Steering
Committee for Surveillance for Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in Wild Birds
- Implementation Plan for Avian Influenza Surveillance in Waterfowl in the
United States. Subsequent testing has detected multiple additional positive
waterfowl in the states of South Carolina, North Carolina, and Virginia (Table
2). All cases are hunter-harvested waterfowl sampled by WS. Species include
American widgeon, American green-winged teal (Anas carolinensis), blue-winged
teal (A. discors), gadwall (Mareca strepera), mallard (A. platyrhynchos),
northern pintail (A. acuta), and northern shoveler (Spatula clypeata).
USDA-APHIS will post confirmed wild bird positive cases here. To date, there
have been no reports of HPAI virus affecting backyard flocks or poultry
production facilities in the U.S.
State
Counties
Flyway
South Carolina
Colleton
Atlantic
North Carolina
Hyde, Pamlico/Beaufort, Bladen
Atlantic
Virginia
Henrico
Atlantic
Table 2. U.S. locations where HPAI viruses have been detected in waterfowl,
winter 2021/22 to-date.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) considers these
recent infections to pose low risk to human health and have issued appropriate
guidance.
Figure 1. Detections of HPAI viruses in North America as of February 1, 2022.
Response Activities
A multi-faceted response to the detection of HPAI H5N1 viruses in the U.S. is
being deployed. The U.S. Interagency Steering Committee for Surveillance for
Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in Wild Birds is encouraging expanded
surveillance and increased vigilance for morbidity/mortality in wild birds
including waterfowl, raptors, and avian scavengers (e.g., ravens, crows,
gulls). Specific activities include:
USDA-APHIS Wildlife Services
a.. Continue surveillance called for in the current Implementation Plan:
USDA-APHIS-WS National Wildlife Disease Program is conducting targeted
surveillance in the Atlantic and Pacific Flyways. Winter sampling in the
Atlantic Flyway will include approximately 4,500 samples.
b.. Implement additional surveillance: WS will coordinate with 24 states in 2
additional Flyways (Mississippi and Central) to determine sampling
opportunities, hunting seasons, and presence of dabbling duck populations. WS
will coordinate with state natural resource management agencies to identify
additional sampling opportunities and will continue coordination and
interagency prioritization with USDA-APHIS Veterinary Services.
c.. Continue to stress increased vigilance for morbidity/mortality events.
Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study
a.. Initiated winter sampling of shorebirds (primarily ruddy turnstones,
Arenaria interpres) in December in Georgia and South Carolina and will continue
through the spring. Approximately 300 samples have been collected to date.
b.. Sampled approximately 500 hunter-harvested blue-winged teal in Texas and
Louisiana in September 2021. Testing is pending.
c.. Continue sampling hunter-harvested ducks in Louisiana. Between 600 and
1,000 samples are anticipated.
d.. Stressing vigilance for morbidity and mortality with member states, and
testing cases submitted for diagnostic evaluation.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) Wildlife Health Office
a.. The Wildlife Health Office currently chairs the U.S. Interagency Steering
Committee for Surveillance for Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in Wild Birds.
a.. Drafted an informational memorandum for member agencies on the spread
of HPAI to Newfoundland and Labrador and subsequently the eastern seaboard of
the U.S.
b.. Arranged technical meetings with scientists in Canada (Environment and
Climate Change Canada, Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative, Canadian Food
Inspection Agency) and Israel (Israel Nature and Parks Authority) to enhance
information sharing, preparedness, and collaboration.
a.. Preparing FWS law enforcement, emergency management, refuges, and other
field stations to conduct morbidity and mortality investigations, increase
carcass submissions for HPAI testing, and apply appropriate biosafety and
biosecurity measures.
b.. Providing field and logistical support for partner agencies conducting
HPAI surveillance activities.
USGS National Wildlife Health Center (NWHC)
a.. Issued expanded submission criteria for wild birds in fall 2021, which
includes:
a.. Mortality involving five or more waterfowl (ducks, geese, or swans) or
other water birds (loons, grebes, coots, shorebirds, or wading birds such as
egrets, herons, or cranes)
b.. Mortality involving any number of raptors or avian scavengers (e.g.,
ravens, crows, gulls)
c.. Morbidity involving raptors, waterfowl, or avian scavengers (e.g.,
ravens, crows, gulls) observed with clinical signs consistent with neurological
impairment
d.. Mortality events involving any species of birds that exceeds 500
animals
a.. Implemented enhanced testing of avian diagnostic submissions to NWHC.
b.. Continue information sharing with state, federal, and tribal natural
resource management agencies via Wildlife Health Bulletins.
c.. Encourage continued vigilance for morbidity/mortality events in wild
birds. Information on morbidity/mortality events will be captured in WHISPers.
Guidance for State, Federal, and Tribal Natural Resource Management Agencies
Recent detections of HPAI virus in Canada and the U.S. warrant additional
surveillance and increased vigilance for HPAI viruses across the United States.
In addition to promoting awareness among agency personnel, natural resource
management agencies might consider outreach to additional stakeholders,
including:
a.. Wildlife rehabilitators: The infected great black-backed gulls from
Newfoundland and Labrador exhibited neurological signs and were presented to
Canadian wildlife rehabilitators. It follows that licensed rehabilitators may
have some of the earliest indication of infections in birds, including raptors
and avian scavengers (e.g., ravens, crows, gulls) that are presented for care.
b.. Falconers: In the 2014/2015 HPAI outbreak in Canada and the U.S., HPAI
virus was detected in captive falcons that had hunted and fed on wild ducks.
Encouraging vigilance and reporting sick and dead falcons may be appropriate.
c.. Landfill operators: Landfills and similar facilities often aggregate
substantial populations of avian scavenger species, including gulls. These
sites may provide an opportunity for observing birds exhibiting neurological
impairment.
d.. Zoos and exhibition facilities: Aviaries may have increased risk for HPAI
infection, especially if birds are allowed outdoor access. Increased vigilance
might be appropriate at these facilities, and some may choose to either move
all birds to an indoor environment, or close aviaries to visitors during this
outbreak.
Field biologists should consider these minimum precautions when handling sick
or dead birds associated with a morbidity/mortality event:
a.. Wear protective clothing including aprons, coveralls, rubber boots,
gloves (rubber, latex, or nitrile), 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 among sites.
b.. Work in well-ventilated areas or upwind of animals to decrease the risk
of inhaling airborne particulate matter such as dust, feathers, or dander.
c.. Wash hands often and thoroughly for at least 30 seconds with soap or
alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
d.. Do not eat, drink, or smoke while handling animals.
e.. Decontaminate work areas and properly dispose of potentially infectious
material including carcasses. The primary goal of carcass disposal (e.g.,
incineration, composting, certified landfilling) is to prevent the spread of
infectious agent.
f.. Your agency may also have policies regarding the use of particulate
respirators (N-95) while handling sick and dead wildlife.
Disease Investigation Services
To request diagnostic services or report wildlife mortality, please contact the
USGS National Wildlife Health Center at 608-270-2480, by email at
nwhc-...@usgs.gov, or through the Wildlife Health Information Sharing
Partnership – event reporting system (WHISPers) interface and a field
epidemiologist will be available to discuss the case. To report wildlife
mortality events in Hawaii or Pacific Island territories, please contact the
Honolulu Field Station at 808-792-9520 or email Thierry Work at
thierry_w...@usgs.gov.
Further information about our services can be found at
https://www.usgs.gov/centers/nwhc/science/disease-investigation-services. To
learn more about submitting samples and reporting events, go to
https://www.usgs.gov/centers/nwhc/science/report-mortality-events-and-submit-specimens.
The WHISPers system can also be used to enter event information, request
diagnostic services, and to view and search summary information on wildlife
morbidity/mortality events. If you have questions or concerns regarding the
scientific and technical services we provide, please do not hesitate to contact
NWHC Director Jonathan Sleeman at jslee...@usgs.gov.
References:
a.. Caliendo V, Lewis NS, Pohlmann A, Baillie SR, Banyard AC, Beer M, Brown
IH, Fouchier RAM, Hansen RDE, Lameris TK, Lang AS, Laurendeau S, Lung O,
Robertson G, van der Jeugd H, Alkie TN, Thorup K, van Toor ML, Waldenström J,
Yason C, Kuiken T, Berhane Y. 2022. Transatlantic spread of highly pathogenic
avian influenza H5N1 by wild birds from Europe to North America in 2021.
bioRxiv 2022.01.13.476155. https://doi.org/10.1101/2022.01.13.476155
b.. OIE-FAO global network of expertise on animal influenzas. 2021. OFFLU
statement on outbreak of H5N1 high pathogenicity avian influenza in
Newfoundland, Canada.
https://www.offlu.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/OFFLU-statement_Newfoundland__H5N1.pdf.
c..
d.. U.S. Interagency Steering Committee for Surveillance for Highly
Pathogenic Avian Influenza in Wild Birds. 2021. Implementation Plan for Avian
Influenza Surveillance in Waterfowl in the United States: Summer FY 2021 –
Winter FY 2022.
https://www.aphis.usda.gov/animal_health/downloads/animal_diseases/ai/2021-22-wild-bird-ai-surveillance-implementation-plan.pdf.
WILDLIFE HEALTH BULLETINS are distributed to natural resource/conservation
partners to provide and promote information exchange about significant wildlife
health threats. Past Wildlife Health Bulletins are available on our website. If
you would like to be added to or removed from the mailing list for these
Bulletins, please visit
https://listserv.usgs.gov/mailman/listinfo/usgs-nwhc_outreach or email
nwhcoutreac...@usgs.gov.
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