Here We Go Again...
Having weathered the Salmonellosis epidemic last year, a new threat to our avian populations has been making its way south from eastern Canada and westward across the United States. This week, we have confirmed its presence here in Sonoma County.
Where It Began - And Where It Has Spread
Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) is a highly contagious viral infection in birds
Originating in Canada in December of 2021, HPAI was first identified on the island of Newfoundland where it was found in domestic chickens. It has now spread to wild birds - primarily Waterbirds, Raptors, Gallinaceous birds (quail, turkeys, chickens), and Corvids (crows, ravens, jays). In addition, there have now been cases reported in limited songbird species and it has been found in some juvenile mammals, including foxes.
The virus headed south from Newfoundland, first impacting the eastern part of the US and has been steadily sweeping its way westward.
This week, HPAI was confirmed here in Sonoma County.
We received a report from a private property owner about a mass die-off event of Canada Geese on their property. After contacting Fish & Wildlife and using newly implemented safety protocol, we recovered two bodies and sent them in for testing. Fish & Wildlife confirmed Friday they had tested positive for the virus.
This virus is deadly to most birds and there is no vaccine available. It is highly contagious through feces, direct contact, and even indirect contact (i.e. tracked on the bottoms of shoes). The most susceptible domestic species include chicken, turkey, quail, ducks, doves and pigeons (as opposed to parrots and exotic birds).
Though it can transmit to humans, we know of no cases of humans contracting HPAI in Canada or the US and it is highly unlikely as long as proper cleaning and protection protocols are followed.
IMPORTANT
If you find a sick bird, under no circumstances try and care for it yourself. It is imperative that you bring it to a licensed wildlife rehabilitation organization as soon as possible due to the highly contagious nature of HPAI. Make sure you take every precaution with regard to sanitation (see below) to help control the spread of this disease.
If you find a dead bird and suspect HPAI, please alert California Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) via its mortality reporting website.
Help Prevent Further Spread
The best way to protect yourself, your pets and domestic birds is to discourage having wild birds congregate at backyard feeders and birdbaths. By removing feeders and covering birdbaths, they will be less likely to spend time in your yards.
If you have poultry or waterbirds (chickens, turkeys, ducks or geese), here are some ways to protect them and prevent the disease from spreading:
• Have a dedicated set of clothes and shoes that you ONLY wear when interacting with your birds. These clothes, and especially shoes, should not be worn outside of the areas where your birds are, as they can both harbor and spread the virus. Change shoes when leaving housing enclosures to avoid cross contamination.
• After each use, wash these clothes with bleach and disinfect shoes with a bleach solution to kill the virus before it can spread to other areas of your property. Bleach needs a contact time of 10 minutes to be truly effective.
• Wear protective gloves whenever feeding, cleaning or caring for your birds.
• Face masks are advised whenever you are in close contact with your birds or in their enclosures.
• Wash your hands thoroughly and frequently, especially before and after entering the enclosure.
• Disinfect all perches, feed containers and water bowls using a diluted bleach solution daily.
• Where and when possible, cover enclosures or housing with a solid or impermeable material to prevent contamination from feces of wild birds flying or roosting above.
If you suspect the virus is present in your domestic birds, consult your primary veterinarian immediately.
• Have a dedicated set of clothes and shoes that you ONLY wear when interacting with your birds. These clothes, and especially shoes, should not be worn outside of the areas where your birds are, as they can both harbor and spread the virus. Change shoes when leaving housing enclosures to avoid cross contamination.
• After each use, wash these clothes with bleach and disinfect shoes with a bleach solution to kill the virus before it can spread to other areas of your property. Bleach needs a contact time of 10 minutes to be truly effective.
• Wear protective gloves whenever feeding, cleaning or caring for your birds.
• Face masks are advised whenever you are in close contact with your birds or in their enclosures.
• Wash your hands thoroughly and frequently, especially before and after entering the enclosure.
• Disinfect all perches, feed containers and water bowls using a diluted bleach solution daily.
• Where and when possible, cover enclosures or housing with a solid or impermeable material to prevent contamination from feces of wild birds flying or roosting above.
If you suspect the virus is present in your domestic birds, consult your primary veterinarian immediately.
Changes in BRC Protocols In light of this new threat, we are implementing some new protocols to protect all the birds in our care. Please help us by adhering to the following procedures:
• Call before bringing in any bird. You may be directed to an alternate entrance.
• If you find a bird in need of care, either text or email a picture prior to arriving. A texting number or email will be provided during your phone call.
We will endeavor to provide the same high level of service we always have during this difficult time. Please be patient and understanding of the extra workload, stress and strain this disease is having on our staff and volunteers.
Additional guidelines:
• Do not leave a bird outside our facility during non-business hours. If you are keeping a bird overnight, be sure it is in an isolated, contained, warm area away from any pets.
• Use a disposable container whenever possible, or mark the container with your name and contact information so we can return it to you at a later date.
• We are unable to accept any dead birds. The bodies should be incinerated or buried at least 4' deep after being covered with a layer of lime.
We continue to accept all native wild birds according the guidelines above.
Depending on the progression of this epidemic, we may have to require specific windows of time for dropping off species that are most likely to carry the virus. We will keep you updated as we learn more about the impact in our area.
We will remain closed for Open Houses during this time and may need to reschedule upcoming events for the safety of our Ambassador birds.
The situation is in flux. As we determine the severity and scope of HPAI in our area, we will keep you thoroughly informed. If the virus in Sonoma County follows a similar trajectory to what has taken place in other parts of the country, it will be serious at its outset and then subside within one to two months.