A busy season for rehabilitating wildlife has descended, and we need your help. Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) was been detected in California in July 2022. Since then, over 58 million birds have been affected in the US. This virus is highly contagious and fatal to birds and has caused outbreaks among wild birds and poultry on the east coast and midwestern US. It is a danger to wild and domestic birds and can devastate poultry. There is no treatment and no available vaccine.
While not as contagious or fatal to mammals, predators and scavengers can become infected in areas where HPAI occurs in birds. Some types of Avian Influenza virus have the potential to infect humans, however no human infections have been reported with this virus. What we can do as Wildlife Protectors is educate ourselves and our community about best practices moving forward because we know that sanitation is effective and necessary in stopping the spread of HPAI.
What You Need to Know
HPAI is highly contagious through direct contact and indirect contact with feces.
Although some HPAI viruses have been known to infect humans, it rarely results in severe disease and there have been no known human infections with this virus in the US or Canada so far
Domestic birds such as chickens, quails, ducks, doves, and pigeons, as well as pet bird species, are highly susceptible
It has spread among wild bird populations including waterbirds, raptors, gallinaceous birds, and corvids. It has also been detected in songbird populations and juvenile mammals
Signs of HPAI include seizures, loss of balance, tremors to the head and neck, inability to stand, paralysis, lethargy, difficulty breathing, swelling of the head and neck, and sudden death
What You Can Do
If you find a sick bird: Immediately call your local licensed rehabilitation center. Do not try to care for any sick wildlife yourself. Taking a photo or video of the bird that can be sent prior to bringing the bird in will help our team effectively triage appropriate care.
If you find a dead bird and suspect HPAI:
If you find a dead bird and suspect HPAI, please alert California Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) via its mortality reporting website.
Remove Feeders and Birdbaths: The more wild birds are hanging around, the more places the virus can spread, not only to other wild birds but also to domestic birds.
If you have domestic birds: Use a dedicated set of clothes and shoes that are only for interacting with your birds. Do not track feces into or out of enclosures. Wear protective gloves and face masks when working with your birds, and always, always wash your hands before and after interacting with them. If your birds are housed outdoors, disinfect all perches and feeding/water containers daily with a dilute solution of bleach. 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 one or more of your birds to be sick, immediately contact your vet for further instructions.
Bleach Tip: A dilute solution of household bleach can be used to disinfect clothes, shoes, and enclosures. It takes 10 minutes for bleach to be effective. (1 part household bleach to 49 parts water)
Educate Your Friends, Family and Community: Please help us get the word out on social media, within neighborhood groups, and anywhere people gather and share information.