Normally, I’d be jazzed to read about rare bird sightings in our state. Right now–not so much.
Last week’s Milwaukee Journal Sentinel article, “Rare-bird sightings help ring in New Year,” written by reporter Paul A. Smith raises new questions about the migratory patterns of far-away birds and the potential for the spread of disease.
The story refers to two species seen at Bradford Beach in Milwaukee, rare visitors to Wisconsin. While ruddy turnstones mostly live in Europe and Asia, they also spend off seasons on the coasts of North America, South America, Africa, and Australia. According to the article, purple sandpiper birds typically winter on North Atlantic shores.
The newspaper story indicates the ruddy turnstone recently seen on the Milwaukee beach was banded in August 2019 in a region of Denmark.
Over the last three months, avian influenza outbreaks have occurred in Denmark (the country from which this bird hanging out on Bradford Beach hailed), as well as Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Israel (thousands of cranes), Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Nigeria, Poland, Portugal, Russia, the UK, the U.S. (most recently, Minnesota in late November), and Vietnam.
At the advice of Ireland’s Department of Agriculture, a zoo in Dublin has temporarily moved its flamingos, ostriches, and penguins indoors to prevent possible exposure to potentially infected wild birds. So has a wildlife park in Cork, Southern Ireland.
Last week, a human case of avian virus was reported in the UK (contracted from ducks), reportedly a first for the United Kingdom.
Following the recent avian influenza outbreak in Eastern Canada, Carolyn Hurwitz voiced concern over what might transpire in her state of Maine. Hurwitz, assistant state veterinarian at Maine’s Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry, discussed the potential impact on Maine in a recent newspaper article by Sam Schipani. (Source: https://bangordailynews.com/2022/01/04/homestead/detection-of-avian-flu-in-canada-puts-maine-chickens-and-turkeys-at-risk-of-contracting-the-virus-n6hjn1me0n/.)
Birds migrating from Canada often go through Maine, and could carry the potentially deadly pathogen to other wildlife.
In the article, Anne Lichtenwalner, director of the University of Maine Animal Health Laboratory, stressed the ill effects of the disease as well as the impact of the strict quarantine and depopulation required by the USDA when an outbreak hits. Lichtenwalner also mentioned the huge economic impact that arises with avian infection, adding, “ ‘…it’s really hard on everybody, farmers and the public alike.’”
So what should we be watching out for here in Jefferson County and elsewhere? Signs of bird flu include lack of energy or appetite; decreased egg production and/or soft-shelled or misshapen eggs; swelling and/or purple discoloration of body parts; runny nose, coughing, sneezing; stumbling or falling down; diarrhea; and sudden death without any clinical signs.
If you find a sick or dead bird, do not touch it. Instead, immediately report it to 1-800-572-8981 (Wisconsin DATCP).
The Defend the Flock Resource Center through APHIS brings together biosecurity information and free resources from USDA, producers, veterinarians, state agencies, scientists, and industry professionals.
See https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/ourfocus/animalhealth/animal-disease-information/avian/defend-the-flock-program/dtf-resources/dtf-resources for biosecurity checklists, videos, training for Ag employees, webinars for producers, and information on wildlife management practices. Good news: Most of the materials are also available in Spanish, and many are available in Chinese, Vietnamese, and Tagalog, too.
Please share this information with others that might be interested.
Thank you,
Anita Martin,
Lake Mills
File photo/public domain
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