Letter to the editor:
During the past year, the current bird flu, the HPAI H5N1 virus, has infected two livestock operations in Jefferson County. More than 2,930,000 birds have died as a result, including chickens at an egg-laying operation in Palmyra last spring, and pheasants and chukars (partridge-type birds) at an Ixonia game bird ranch in November.
Jefferson County is far from alone when it comes to this deadly strain of avian influenza. Since the first Wisconsin outbreak last spring, 17 other counties in our state have also been impacted. According to the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection, a total of 1,357 backyard birds and 3,294,014 commercial birds have perished in Wisconsin as a result of this unprecedented viral disease.
(Source: https://datcp.wi.gov/Pages/Programs_Services/HPAIWisconsin.aspx )
Nationwide, the H5N1 virus has killed more than 57,800,000 birds, surpassing the 2014-2015 avian influenza outbreak which resulted from a different, less virulent (particularly to wild birds) viral strain, H5N2. All 50 states have had wild bird detections and deaths over the last 12 months—in such birds as blue jays, crows, ducks, eagles, egrets, geese, gulls, hawks, herons, owls, pelicans, robins, swans, and vultures. Additionally, more than 12 non-bird species have already been infected with the H5N1 virus (which has at least three known variants), including bear, bobcat, coyote, fox, mink, porpoise, raccoon, skunk, and seal—mostly in North America.
Is this bird flu virus a concern to humans? While the overall risk of becoming ill with H5N1 virus is currently considered low, statistics show an average 50% mortality rate if a person does contract the virus. In words my grandfather used to say, “This is nothing to monkey around with!”
Here are some safety tips:
• If you keep any backyard birds, be sure you’re registered with the Wisconsin Livestock Identification Consortium. This aims to reduce the risk of disease spread and if there is an outbreak nearby, helps ensure you will be notified of ways to protect your birds. By registering and keeping registration and contact information current, owners qualify for indemnification in the event birds develop avian influenza disease. (Register at no cost, online at https://wiid.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/AH-LP-100-Livestock-Premise-Registration-Application-2022.pdf or call 1-888-808-1910.)
• If you do decide to keep bird feeders up, closely and consistently follow the guidelines for sanitizing feeders. (Numerous states have had advisories over the last year about bird feeders, as they are typically places birds congregate. Birds may be carriers of the deadly virus even if/when they do not exhibit any obvious symptoms.) For information, see https://www.allaboutbirds.org/news/avian-influenza-outbreak-should-you-take-down-your-bird-feeders/
• Folks hunting crows, ducks, geese, pheasants, or other birds are advised to take precautions. (This article provides valuable guidelines– https://wgfd.wyo.gov/News/Avian-influenza-guidance-for-waterfowl-hunters ) Out of an abundance of caution, might it be wise to consider not using a bird retrieving dog, for now? Experts caution that dogs could unknowingly be exposed to the virus, contract H5N1 disease, and potentially pass it along to their owners. (Note: Ducks in particular appear to be carriers of the H5N1 virus, though they may not necessarily become ill or die as the result.)
• Consider dead birds, bird droppings, and bird feathers as potentially infectious to you and your pets. According to wildlife and agricultural experts, birds may shed avian influenza virus in their feces days, up to two weeks before they show any signs of illness.
• Follow food safety guidelines. Wash the exterior of eggs to remove possible fecal contamination before preparing them. The most recent recommendations to help avoid avian virus exposure include to avoid consuming raw eggs or undercooked poultry, as well as to void eating runny egg yolks.
Interested in learning more about avian influenza? Go to https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/ourfocus/animalhealth/animal-disease-information/avian/defend-the-flock-program
Anita Martin
Lake Mills
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