Bird flu continues to spread across the state

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) – Because the first case of avian flu was confirmed on the finish of April, the state has now confirmed greater than a dozen extra instances.

These instances confirmed by the state embody bald eagles within the Aleutians Islands, Canada geese in Fairbanks and Anchorage, and a whole flock of home poultry within the Matanuska-Susitna Borough.

State Veterinarian Bob Gerlach mentioned that he expects case numbers to rise all through the summer season.

“I believe our detections in wild birds will most likely going to go forward and proceed,” Gerlach mentioned. “I believe that’s going to be what all people’s anticipating. Our response to the poultry I believe has been actually good and individuals are defending their poultry.”

The virus has proved notably lethal to poultry within the Decrease 48, with a mortality of 70-90% in accordance with Gerlach. To date, he mentioned, Alaskans with yard flocks appear to be taking precautions to restrict interactions with wild birds or their droppings, which might unfold the illness.

However the concern isn’t only for home poultry. Locations just like the Alaska Zoo are nervous about their captive birds getting contaminated by wild birds. Rehab facilities have related considerations, some have even quickly stopped taking in wild birds.

“The actual downside is for services that do each rehabilitation of untamed birds and have academic ambassador birds on the premises, ” mentioned Govt Director of the Hen Therapy and Studying Heart Laura Atwood.

The middle has responded by transferring training birds out of the clinic into lined mews outdoors. They’ve additionally applied strict protocols for the individuals who work with birds to reduce the prospect that the virus will unfold.

“In order that we will stay open to taking in wild birds, we wish to have the ability to do this all through the summer season right here,” Atwood mentioned. “With that mentioned, we’re continually reevaluating, however as of proper now, we’re nonetheless taking in wild birds.”

Dr. Gerlach mentioned that folks shouldn’t be terrified of the virus, which isn’t thought-about an enormous threat to people. Even so, Gerlach mentioned that folks ought to take some precautions round wild birds.

“The chance to folks is low and we wish folks to go forward and benefit from the outside and never be restricted, however simply go and use widespread sense with respect to that,” Gerlach mentioned. “You don’t need your youngsters developing and touching birds, and even with wildlife that’s usually the advice, is that we don’t need folks approaching wildlife or getting too shut.”

The Workplace of the State Veterinarian web site has present case counts of Avian Flu in Alaska in addition to the place they’ve been discovered. Gerlach mentioned individuals who encounter wild birds which can be lifeless or seem unwell ought to report them to the U.S Fish and Wildlife Service at 1-866-527-3358 or e mail ak_mbm@fws.gov.

Folks with considerations about home poultry ought to report these to their native veterinarian or the Workplace of the State Veterinarian at 907-375-8215.

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