With waterfowl migrating through Pennsylvania, federal and state agencies are advising people about the potential spread of the avian flu.
The United States Department of Agriculture has confirmed highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) has been found in Delaware, Indiana and Kentucky in February. So far the disease in poultry and waterfowl hasn’t been found this year in Pennsylvania.
However, birds are migrating from surrounding states through Pennsylvania, and agencies are being cautious.
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The virus can infect poultry such as chickens, turkeys, pheasants, quail, domestic ducks, gees, and guinea fowl, and is carried by waterfowl such as ducks, geese and shorebirds.
No human cases have been found in the United States, but agencies are advising people to be cautious around birds.
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Travis Lau, communications director of the Pennsylvania Game Commission, responding to questions about the disease through email, said, “Avian flu can be transmitted to people, so there are health considerations for people, especially if they might have direct contact with potentially infected birds.”
He said they have reached out to bird-banders, falconers, wildlife rehabilitators and others expected to come into direct contact with wild birds, which serves to better protect those folks.
“We’ve also identified places, such as Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area, where there’s increased risk of people picking up infected wild bird feces on their boots, due to higher densities of people and birds. We’ve placed out signs and distributed educational materials there.”
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The concern is keeping birds that may be sick and passing through from infecting local birds and commercial poultry operations.
“This particular strain of avian flu so far doesn’t appear to have high affinity for crossing over into humans. The potential for it to be transmitted to poultry exists, but the risk of that is extremely reduced if facilities employ appropriate biosecurity measures. We have been working with USDA on disease surveillance among wild birds. Impacts on wild birds are possible.”
Protecting chickens from bird flu
Shannon Powers, press secretary for the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, said they are trying to get the word out to everyone who raises chickens, including those with small, backyard chicken coops.
Poultry is a $7.1 billion industry in Pennsylvania, ranging from large commercial operations to those who are hobby farmers.
“Know the signs of the disease and where to report it,” she said in a telephone interview.
Some of the signs of a bird with the disease are sudden death, lack of energy or appetite, decreased egg production or soft-shelled or misshapen eggs; nasal discharge, coughing, sneezing, lack of coordination and diarrhea.
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The Department of Agriculture’s advice to those raising poultry includes:
• Restrict access to your property and poultry or post a biosecurity sign.
• Wear clean clothes, scrub boots/shoes with disinfectant and wash hands thoroughly.
• If you, your employees or family have been on other farms, or other places where there is livestock and/or poultry, clean and disinfect your vehicle tires and equipment before returning home.
• Do not share equipment, tools, or other supplies with your neighbors of other livestock or poultry owners.
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• Report sick birds. Don’t wait. Report serious or unusual animal health problems to your veterinarian, local extension office, or State or Federal Animal Health officials.
Pennsylvanians can contact the Pennsylvania Bureau of Animal Health and Diagnostics by phone at 717-772-2852 or email [email protected] to report unusual finding and concerns.
“People love the birds, and we want to protect them,” Powers said about working with the public to keep everyone safe.
Brian Whipkey is the outdoors columnist for USA TODAY Network sites in Pennsylvania. Contact him at [email protected] and sign up for our weekly Go Outdoors PA newsletter email on your website’s homepage under your login name. Follow him on social media @whipkeyoutdoors.
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