Migratory birds arriving in Alaska this year may bring avian flu with them

Considerations about avian flu are growing because the spring migration to Alaska from the decrease 48 and Asia will get underway. Though it poses no critical danger to folks, the extremely infectious H5N1 virus pressure has been detected in wild birds in dozens of states, however the U.S. Division of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Well being Inspection Service hasn’t detected it in Alaska but this yr.

Bob Gerlach is Alaska’s State Veterinarian. “It has a very excessive virulence or pathogenicity for each wild birds in addition to home,” he stated. In states like Colorado, 1000’s of home chickens needed to be euthanized after the virus ripped by means of a poultry facility in current weeks.

“Different avian influenza viruses appear to focus extra on exhausting impacts on home poultry,” stated Gerlach. “ However this, we’re seeing pretty giant numbers of untamed birds being affected,“ he stated.

Though the virus can’t unfold to people, Gerlach stated that anybody harvesting wild birds this yr ought to be cautious.

“You need to put on disposable latex gloves whereas dealing with and cleansing them, after which observe actually good sanitation procedures for laundry and cleansing your fingers after dealing with it,” stated Gerlach. He additionally stated that folks dealing with sport birds mustn’t eat, drink, or smoke whereas doing so, however that the meat continues to be edible. “Be sure to cook dinner that sport actually totally to a temperature of 165 levels [Fahrenheit],” stated Gerlach.

The virus can persist for shut to a few weeks in floor waters, like lakes. These primarily within the central coastal zone, together with close to Nelson Island and Hooper Bay, are identified hotspots. There are a number of companies monitoring birds for the virus. Whereas the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) shouldn’t be doing any preventative testing as migratory birds start to reach within the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta, they’re asking for experiences of sick and useless birds. USFWS runs a hotline for reporting; the quantity is 1-866-527-3358.