WHAT IS AVIAN INFLUENZA?
Avian influenza, commonly known as bird flu, is an infectious disease caused by a group of influenza A viruses. These viruses naturally occur in wild waterfowl and shorebirds, but they can infect other wild and domestic bird species, as well as mammals, including humans. The viruses are often classified into two categories: low pathogenic avian influenza (LPAI) and highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) based on the severity of the disease they cause.
HPAI Updates for Kentucky Wildlife
Report Sick or Dead Wild Birds
Kentucky Fish and Wildlife asks for reports of wild birds exhibiting the following:
- Swimming in Circles
- Incoordination
- Lethargy
- Unwillingness to fly
- Head tremors
Report Sick or Dead Poultry
and Livestock
Report any unusual signs of illness or increased mortality in your flock or livestock to a local veterinarian, cooperative extension service, the State Veterinarian, or call the USDA at 1-866-536-7593.
Why are HPAI outbreaks occurring in wild birds?
Avian flu outbreaks are often linked to specific migratory seasons, particularly during autumn and spring when birds are traveling across their migratory flyways. The timing of these migrations can lead to seasonal surges in avian flu cases. Migratory birds, such as waterfowl, travel long distances and can unintentionally carry the virus across regions and continents. As they pass through different habitats, they may introduce the virus to new areas, which can lead to outbreaks. Additionally, interactions between migratory and resident birds during stops along the flyways can increase the chances of the virus spreading between species.
What is Kentucky Fish and Wildlife doing about HPAI?
Kentucky Fish and Wildlife's responsibilities and actions include:
- Monitoring wild bird and mammal populations for mortality events and submitting received specimens for HPAI testing.
- Testing a random sample of live and hunter-harvested waterfowl for HPAI.
- Collaborating with partners to minimize the transmission of HPAI in wildlife, safeguarding the health of wildlife, domestic animals, and people.
- Providing biosecurity guidance to hunters, wildlife enthusiasts, wildlife rehabilitators, and outdoor recreationists on reducing the transmission of HPAI to safeguard the health of wildlife, domestic animals, and people.
HPAI in wildlife: Understanding the situation in the U.S.
- HPAI is widespread in wild birds throughout the U.S. and has also been detected in a variety of
wild mammal species in multiple states.
- HPAI has caused outbreaks in commercial and backyard flocks, as well as dairy cows.
- According to the CDC, there have been
reported cases of HPAI in people in the U.S. However, the risk of infection to the public remains low.
What are the symptoms of avian influenza?
LPAI viruses may cause mild respiratory illness, including coughing, sneezing, and nasal discharge. LPAI typically presents mild symptoms, and many are asymptomatic (the infected animal doesn't show signs of illness). HPAI viruses can cause respiratory illness, swimming in circles, incoordination, droopy wings, lethargy, unwillingness to fly, and head tremors. HPAI viruses are severe, causing high mortality in chickens, turkeys, and ducks.
While domestic poultry may experience high mortality rates from HPAI infection, symptoms vary among wild birds. Certain species of waterfowl may show no signs of disease, unlike raptors, shorebirds, and scavengers, which have reported high mortality rates, potentially impacting population levels.
How is avian influenza spread?
Infected birds spread influenza through saliva, mucus, and feces. Domestic birds can be exposed to the virus from contaminated clothing, boots, and equipment, as well as from wild birds or their feces.
Avian flu outbreaks in wild birds are often linked to specific migratory seasons, particularly during autumn and spring when birds are traveling across their migratory flyways. The timing of these migrations can lead to seasonal surges in avian flu cases. Migratory birds, such as waterfowl, travel long distances and can unintentionally carry the virus across regions and continents. As they pass through different habitats, they may introduce the virus to new areas, which can lead to outbreaks. Additionally, interactions between migratory and resident birds during stops along flyways can increase the chances of the virus spreading between species.
How is avian influenza diagnosed?
Avian influenza is diagnosed through swabs from a sick or dead bird. Whole fresh carcasses may be necropsied by the Kentucky Fish and Wildlife Health Program to determine the cause of death and collect additional samples for further testing. Delays in collecting the carcass decrease Kentucky Fish and Wildlife’s ability to recover detectable virus due to decomposition.
How is avian influenza treated?
There is no treatment for avian influenza in wild birds. Only supportive care options are available and birds will often succumb to the disease. There's no readily available treatment for avian influenza in domestic birds. Euthanizing birds and properly disposing of their remains is currently the most effective way to prevent the spread of the disease in domestic flocks.
Does avian influenza pose a risk to people or other animals?
HPAI is widespread in wild birds throughout the U.S. and has caused outbreaks in commercial and backyard flocks, as well as in dairy cows. Additionally, a variety of
wild mammals have been infected with HPAI in areas across the U.S.
According to the CDC, while there have been
reported cases of human infections with HPAI in the U.S., the threat of HPAI to public health continues to be low. To date, there are no reported cases of person-to-person transmission of the virus.
While avian influenza viruses typically infect and spread among wild migratory water birds and domestic poultry, there are cases of some avian flu viruses infecting and spreading to other animals. This includes wild mammals that have presumably eaten birds or poultry that may be infected with avian flu, or that have come into contact with the saliva, mucous, and feces of infected birds.
According to the CDC, the risk to human health posed by HPAI is low. Human infections with avian influenza occur if a person inhales the virus or the virus gets into a person's eyes, nose, or mouth. When handled and cooked properly, meat and eggs harvested from wild or domestic birds do not present a food safety risk. Milk that has been pasteurized is safe to consume.
Learn more about avian influenza infections in humans.
For questions about HPAI in domestic poultry or livestock, please refer to the
United States Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA APHIS) or the
Kentucky Department of Agriculture.
Surveillance and Management
The USDA, along with state wildlife and animal health officials across the country, work together to monitor and track avian influenza outbreaks as part of the
National Avian Influenza Surveillance Plan.
Surveillance for avian influenza viruses in wild bird populations can provide an early warning to commercial producers and farmers to help prevent domestic exposure. However, biosecurity protocols to protect poultry or livestock from the disease should be enforced year-round, even if there has not been a detection of the disease in wild birds or other wildlife.
HEALTH AND SAFETY GUIDANCE
While it's not possible to prevent cases of avian influenza in wild birds, there are steps that can be taken to prevent the spread of the disease while safeguarding the health of wildlife, domestic animals, and people.
If you found an injured animal, contact a permitted wildlife rehabilitator. A licensed rehabilitator can evaluate and treat an animal to release back into a natural habitat. If you have found an injured deer,
contact the county's regional biologist.
The risk to human health posed by HPAI continues to be low. Meat from harvested wild birds does not present a food safety risk when handled or cooked properly. Hunters are encouraged to follow routine precautions when handling wild game:
Avoid Sick or Dead Wildlife
- Do not harvest, handle, or consume wild birds that look unhealthy or were found dead.
- Keep hunting dogs away from sick or dead wildlife.
- Do not feed hunting dogs waterfowl carcasses.
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Report sick or dead wildlife to Kentucky Fish and Wildlife.
Practice Good Hygiene
- Wear disposable gloves and consider wearing eye protection when handling birds and other game.
- Wash hands thoroughly with soap and warm water after handling birds or any materials contaminated with bird droppings. If soap and water are not available, use alcohol-based hand sanitizers.
- Clothes and shoes worn out in the field should not be worn around pet bids, backyard flocks, or livestock. Have dedicated clothes and shoes to wear around your animals that are not worn anywhere else.
- Dress harvested waterfowl outside or in a well-ventilated area. Consider wearing a face mask to avoid inhaling the virus.
Dispose of Carcasses Properly
- Double bag feathers and other remains of harvested waterfowl. Tie the inner bag, take off your gloves, and leave them in the outer bag before tying it closed. Place the bag in the trash and close the lid on the receptacle. Discard the carcass in a trash can with a secure lid to prevent scavengers from getting the carcass.
Cook Wild Game Thoroughly
- All game should be thoroughly cooked to an internal temperature of 165 F to kill any present viruses, bacteria, or parasites that could be harmful to human health.
- Do not feed dogs raw or undercooked meat from harvested game. Undercooked meat can contain viruses, bacteria, or parasites that can be harmful to dogs.
Clean and Disinfect Equipment
- Use dedicated tools for cleaning game and avoid using them around poultry or pet birds.
- Clean and disinfect hunting equipment, including knives and other tools, after handling birds or other wild game. Common disinfectants that are effective in killing avian flu viruses include Pine-Sol, Accel or Rescue, or a bleach solutionof 1/2 cup to one gallon of water.
Learn more about cleaning and disinfecting practices.
Bird watchers and other wildlife enthusiasts can take certain precautions to reduce the risk of spreading HPAI while pursuing their outdoor activities.
Avoid Sick or Dead Wildlife
- Avoid direct contact with wildlife that appear unhealthy or were found dead.
- Keep pets away from sick or dead wildlife.
-
Report sick or dead wildlife to Kentucky Fish and Wildlife.
Practice Good Hygiene
- Wash hands thoroughly with soap and warm water after outdoor activities, especially if there has been any contact with birds or bird habitats. Use alcohol-based hand sanitizers if soap and water are not readily available.
- Wear disposable gloves if handling equipment that may have come into contact with bird droppings or other potentially contaminated surfaces.
- Clean off shoes if they came into contact with waterfowl feces. Wash hands thoroughly afterwards with soap and warm water.
- Clothes and shoes worn outdoors or in other areas frequented by waterfowl should not be worn around pet birds, backyard flocks, or livestock. Have dedicated clothes and shoes to wear around your animals that are not worn anywhere else.
When wildlife gathers in areas abundant with food, the risk of disease transmission rises. Animals that would normally be scattered are brought together, making it easier for pathogens (such as viruses, bacteria, or parasites) to spread. Refrain from feeding wildlife to help prevent disease transmission.
Properly Dispose of Waste
When wildlife gathers where food is abundant, the risk of disease transmission increases. Dispose of waste, including food scraps, in designated bins to avoid attracting and unnaturally clustering birds and other wildlife.
Wildlife rehabilitators play a crucial role in caring for sick or injured wildlife, including wildlife that may potentially carry HPAI. The following are health and safety precautions that wildlife rehabilitators should consider to protect themselves and the animals in their care.
Personal Protective Equipment
- Wear appropriate PPE such as gloves, face masks, and goggles when handling birds or other wildlife suspected of carrying avian influenza.
- Use disposable gloves and change them frequently, especially between handling different animals or between tasks.
Hand Hygiene
- Wash hands thoroughly with soap and warm water before and after handling animals, as well as after removing gloves.
- Use alcohol-based hand sanitizers if soap and water are not available.
Preventative Measures
- Implement biosecurity measures to prevent the spread of HPAI among animals in rehabilitation facilities.
- Quarantine new arrivals to monitor for signs of illness before introducing them to the general population.
- While there is not a specific vaccine available for HPAI, wildlife rehabilitation workers should stay informed about any relevant vaccines or preventative measures recommended for those working closely with birds. Speak to a healthcare provider for further information.
Environmenal Hygiene
- Regularly clean and disinfect cages, equipment, and surfaces using appropriate disinfectants. Common disinfectants that are effective in killing avian influenza viruses include Pine-Sol, Accel or Rescue, or a bleach solution of 1/2 cup bleach to one gallon of water.
Learn more about cleaning and disinfecting practices.
- Maintain good ventilation in indoor facilities to reduce the risk of airborne transmission.
Training and Education
- Ensure that all staff and volunteers receive adequate training on HPAI prevention and response protocols.
- Stay updated on current guidelines and recommendations from public health authorities and Kentucky Fish and Wildlife.
Monitoring for Symptoms- Be vigilant for any signs of illness in wildlife and people.
- Seek medical attention promptly if any symptoms develop and inform healthcare providers about potential exposures to HPAI.
Reporting
For the public, preventing transmission of HPAI involves a combination of personal hygiene practices and awareness of potential sources of infection.
Avoid Sick or Dead Wildlife
- Avoid direct contact with wildlife that appear unhealthy or were found dead.
- Keep pets away from sick or dead wildlife.
-
Report sick or dead wildlife to Kentucky Fish and Wildlife.
Practice Good Hygiene
- Wash hands thoroughly with soap and warm water after outdoor activities, especially if there has been any contact with birds or bird habitats. Use alcohol-based hand sanitizers if soap and water are not readily available.
- Wear disposable gloves if handling equipment that may have come into contact with bird droppings or other potentially contaminated surfaces.
- Clean off shoes if they came into contact with waterfowl feces. Wash hands thoroughly afterwards with soap and warm water.
- Clothes and shoes worn outdoors or in other areas frequented by waterfowl should not be worn around pet birds, backyard flocks, or livestock. Have dedicated clothes and shoes to wear around your animals that are not worn anywhere else.
Avoid Feeding Wildlife
When wildlife gathers in areas abundant with food, the risk of disease transmission rises. Animals that would normally be scattered are brought together, making it easier for pathogens (such as viruses, bacteria, or parasites) to spread. Refrain from feeding wildlife to help prevent disease transmission.
Properly Dispose of Waste
When wildlife gathers where food is abundant, the risk of disease transmission increases. Dispose of waste, including food scraps, in designated bins to avoid attracting and unnaturally clustering birds and other wildlife.
Backyard flock owners and livestock producers can take several precautions to protect their animals from HPAI and minimize the risk of transmission. Visit the following websites for more information:
- USDA Defend the Flock
- Kentucky Department of Agriculture Office of the State Veterinarian
- National Poultry Improvement Program
Report Sick or Dead Poultry and LivestockReport any unusual signs of illness or increased mortality in your flock or livestock to a local veterinarian, cooperative extension service, the State Veterinarian, or call the USDA at 1-866-536-7593.
Avoid Sick or Dead Wildlife
- Avoid direct contact with wildlife that appear unhealthy or were found dead.
- Keep pets away from sick or dead wildlife.
-
Report sick or dead wildlife to Kentucky Fish and Wildlife.
Practice Good Hygiene
- Wash hands thoroughly with soap and warm water after outdoor activities, especially if there has been any contact with birds or bird habitats. Use alcohol-based hand sanitizers if soap and water are not readily available.
- Wear disposable gloves if handling equipment that may have come into contact with bird droppings or other potentially contaminated surfaces.
- Clean off shoes if they came into contact with waterfowl feces. Wash hands thoroughly afterwards with soap and warm water.
- Clothes and shoes worn outdoors or in other areas frequented by waterfowl should not be worn around pet birds, backyard flocks, or livestock. Have dedicated clothes and shoes to wear around your animals that are not worn anywhere else.
Environmenal Hygiene and Biosecurity
- Regularly clean and disinfect cages, equipment, and surfaces using appropriate disinfectants. Common disinfectants that are effective in killing avian influenza viruses include Pine-Sol, Accel or Rescue, or a bleach solution of 1/2 cup bleach to one gallon of water. Learn more about cleaning and disinfecting practices.
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Enforce biosecurity best practices. Learn more through the USDA's Defend the Flock Program, or contact your veterinarian or local extension office for further information.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
U.S. Department of Agriculture
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
USGS National Wildlife Health Center
Kentucky Department of Agriculture
EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES
Avian Influenza Fact Sheet
Avian Influenza Fact Sheet for Hunters
Avian Influenza Prevention Flyer
WILDLIFE HEALTH PROGRAM
REPORT SICK OR DEAD WILDLIFE
WILDLIFE DISEASES
