Avian influenza

[River Ratt]

Did anyone see what squaw creek posted yesterday about a outbreak of avian influenza.

Makes me wonder now if that’s what happened on the city park the other day

[jolle]

I saw that they closed the tour route. Saw another guy post that he had number of dead and dying geese in his decoys when he arrived one morning. Not sure how bad it will get but this is what they've always feared with the Snows in massive quantities like at squaw.

[Sarge]

That is really disturbing. It seems that Mother Nature has a way of controlling excessive populations at times. Contaminated water, food, or air is usually to blame. Viruses also appear. It is such a tragedy and waste.

[Ghost of Wabo]

That's sad.... Jollie where did you see that post and where are you guys finding info from Sqaw?

[jolle]

It's all been on a Facebook page, Snowgoose Migration 2.0. Guys posted pictures of the signs they have on the road blocking traffic into the refuge.

Forums like this get a lot more useful info from knowledgable people. Facebook groups get a lot more traffic and posts, but from a whole range of characters (guides, new hunters, etc).

[Geez n Quackers]

Don't want to repeat here but I posted on the Kansas Migration forum on this regarding a short conversation I had with an official as they were closing the refuge gates. Tragic, yes; but they don't seem to think it will lead to a catastrophic die-off. Not sure how they assess that, but that's what the official told me.

[Cornstalks]

A little info on it from the mayoclinic and others:

Bird flu is caused by a type of influenza virus that rarely infects humans. More than a dozen types of bird flu have been identified, including the two strains that have most recently infected humans — H5N1 and H7N9. When bird flu does strike humans, it can be deadly. Although avian (bird) influenza (flu) A viruses usually do not infect people, there have been some rare cases of human infection with these viruses. Illness in humans from bird flu virus infections have ranged in severity from no symptoms or mild illness to severe disease that resulted in death. Health officials worry that a global outbreak could occur if a bird flu virus mutates into a form that transmits more easily from person to person. Researchers are working on vaccines to help protect people from bird flu.

Infected birds shed bird flu virus through their saliva, mucous and feces. Human infections with bird flu viruses can happen when virus gets into a person’s eyes, nose or mouth, or is inhaled. This can happen when virus is in the air (in droplets or possibly dust) and a person breathes it in, or possibly when a person touches something that has virus on it then touches their mouth, eyes or nose. Human infections with bird flu viruses have occurred most often after unprotected contact with infected birds or surfaces contaminated with bird flu viruses. However, some infections have been identified where direct contact with infected birds or their environment was not known to have occurred.

Complications


People with bird flu may develop life-threatening complications, including:

• Pneumonia
• Pink eye (conjunctivitis)
• Respiratory failure
• Kidney dysfunction
• Heart problems

The reported signs and symptoms of bird flu virus infections in humans have ranged from no symptoms or mild illness [such as eye redness (conjunctivitis) or mild flu-like upper respiratory symptoms], to severe (such as pneumonia requiring hospitalization) and included fever (temperature of 100ºF [37.8ºC] or greater) or feeling feverish*, cough, sore throat, runny or stuff nose, muscle or body aches, headaches, fatigue, and shortness of breath or difficulty breathing. Less common signs and symptoms include diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, or seizures.
Although bird flu may kill more than half the people it infects, the number of fatalities is still low because so few people have had bird flu. Fewer than 500 bird flu deaths have been reported to the World Health Organization since 1997.

Prevention:

The Food and Drug Administration has approved one vaccine to prevent infection with one strain of H5N1 bird flu virus. This vaccine isn't available to the public, but the U.S. government is stockpiling it and will distribute it in the event of an outbreak:

If you're traveling to Southeast Asia or to any region with bird flu outbreaks, consider these public health recommendations:

• Avoid domesticated birds. If possible, avoid rural areas, small farms and open-air markets.
• Wash your hands. This is one of the simplest and best ways to prevent infections of all kinds. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer containing at least 60 percent alcohol when you travel.
• Ask about a flu shot. Before traveling, ask your doctor about a flu shot. It won't protect you specifically from bird flu, but it may help reduce the risk of simultaneous infection with bird and human flu viruses.

So on the prevention aspect if this is a concern for you, looks like washing your hands just after picking them up or cleaning them may be a good idea. For those that are vaccinated perhaps there is an added protection. I couldn't find much in my short search about it effecting dogs but I suppose the chance of it passing from bird to dog to human isn't impossible.

Facts about avian influenza in humans (europa.eu)

Bird Flu Virus Infections in Humans | Avian Influenza (Flu) (cdc.gov)

Bird flu (avian influenza) - Symptoms and causes - Mayo Clinic

[Wapiti]

Cornstalks, I tip my hat to you for supplying such an informative post! Much appreciated I believe by all of us. It should be noted that the bird flu has been around for as long as we’ve had birds. The last known outbreak of it infecting Snowgeese was approximately 20 years ago.

we do have it in South Dakota as well. Many dead birds being found on Lewis and Clark Lake, along with Hutterite colonies being wiped out with chickens and turkeys. This too shall pass

[timber hunter]

Had a sick blue come in today.

[mo4NU]

I asked my daughter, who is in her third year of vet school, about dogs. She was told that there is a very low risk of dogs being effected.

[SoCal Waterfowler]

I asked my daughter, who is in her third year of vet school, about dogs. She was told that there is a very low risk of dogs being effected.

Good to hear. I google'd it as well to see if I could find anything and it said the same as what your daughter reported.

[mo4NU]

Good, she ussually over reacts to anyhting that could harm our pets so I figure if she says low risk it is actually nearly zero!

[timber hunter]

Many washed up on the shoreline on the Miss. here. Confirmed Avian Flu by DNR.

[870]

Drought can limit available roosting water concentrating the birds more than normal causing increased infection rates. What is the roosting water situation like this spring in the central flyway states?

[thatguy]

Drought can limit available roosting water concentrating the birds more than normal causing increased infection rates. What is the roosting water situation like this spring in the central flyway states?

Its dry over a large portion

[whitey11]

I saw on some other post about the flu and if it makes it to the tundra. Just how bad do you think it will hurt the population? I am sure there is really no way of knowing for sure.