Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAF), commonly called H5NI bird flu, is a highly contagious pathogen that is deadly to domestic poultry and can wipe out flocks quickly. This disease is widespread in wild birds and seems to be especially deadly in waterfowl. It also infects birds who feed on dead or injured waterfowl. This winter, two dead Bald Eagles have been found locally. Both were collected and sent to the USDA lab for analysis, and both had died of bird flu.
So, this disease is here with us right now and right here in Thurston County. Our local poultry and egg farms are taking aggressive precautions to protect their flocks. Between Wilcox Farms, Steibers Farms and some smaller operations, our south Puget Sound region produces well over 1 million eggs per day. It’s a big deal for our local economy, and therefore, protecting these commercial flocks is also a big deal.
Once a flock is infected, the standard treatment is destruction of the entire flock. To date, over 90 million poultry have been destroyed nationwide; Midwest egg producers have been hit especially hard. Bird flu is responsible for the reduced supply and high prices of eggs in our local markets.
What precautions should you take? First, if you encounter a dead bird, do not handle it! Or, if you must, wear protective gear (a mask – we all have them – and disposable gloves). If you encounter multiple dead birds, you should report your observation to the Department of Health (local or state) or WDFW. The later state agency has an on-line reporting site.
If you have your own small flock of chickens, you need to take special precautions. First, isolate your flock from other birds if at all possible. Free-ranging chickens are at much greater risk of infection. And, while bird flu appears to have little effect on small songbirds, they may still be carriers of the disease. And crows, which seem to be everywhere, are known to be infected with bird flu from time to time. Be cautious and be prepared emotionally for the small chance that you might have to destroy your flock.
In the past two months, there have been reports of bird flu (the same H5N1 variant) infecting dairy cows, and at least one dairy farm worker has also been infected. To date, this has not occurred in Washington, and the flu-like infections in people have been relatively mild. There are no plans to destroy entire dairy herds; rather, sick animals are isolated from others to reduce the spread of the disease. Because of pasteurization, there is no health risk to milk.
But this “jump” of bird flu to mammals has the Center for Disease Control (CDC) monitoring the situation closely. The H5N1 variant seems to produce only mild symptoms in mammals. But this virus is a living organism and could evolve into a variant that would pose a serious risk for people. It’s a bit scary to imagine that there’s a widespread virus out there – I am just thankful that our nation invests in the CDC and other federal and state agencies that can respond should such a situation develop. We hope their funding, planning and expertise are at the ready.
Grebes, one of North America’s most colorful birds, are fish eaters found in small numbers in our area each winter. In their winter plumage they are some version of black and white. But in late March/early April, they molt to their breeding feathers and change their appearance into a riot of interesting colors (the plumage of both sexes are alike). Last week at Woodward Bay Natural Area I encountered several grebes with their new, colorful plumage.
The bird I saw most closely was a Horned Grebe. It was a smallish grebe (between robin and crow in size) with a short, dark bill. Its breeding plumage consisted of a black head with rich golden tufts (horns, I suppose), a black back and cinnamon neck, breasts, and sides. A similar small grebe is the Eared Grebe. In contrast to the Horned Grebe, this bird’s breeding plumes are primarily black with golden fan-shaped head feathers and a black crest.
There was another grebe far away that I identified as a Red-necked Grebe. This is a larger bird, more crow-sized; in breeding plumage it has a gray body and red neck (now isn’t that a surprise). Its head is two-toned, black over white, and its bill large and pointed.
These birds have spent the winter here on Puget Sound and are getting ready to migrate to their breeding territories on wetlands and lakes in the interior of North America. Usually, only birders visiting these summer breeding territories get to see the fancy breeding plumes. But, for a few weeks in early Spring we locals can on occasion find them and thus enjoy some of North America’s more colorful birds.
George Walter is environmental program manager at the Nisqually Indian Tribe’s natural resources department; he also has a 40+ year interest in bird watching. He may be reached at george@theJOLTnews.com
Editors note: The photo of the horned grebe has been updated and fixed, an eared grebe was shown before. 5/3/2024 4:34 p.m.
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Somney
Im a little worried about this as I work in healthcare, have pet birds, and am somewhat fearful I could catch this at work and not know what it is and pass it to my pets.
Monday, May 6 Report this