State veterinarian worries deadly bird flu is on its way to Alaska

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) – State officers are involved a couple of lethal pressure of chicken flu that seems to be headed to Alaska.

Whereas chicken flu may be transmitted to people, the Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention says the H5N1 pressure of chicken flu poses a low danger to the general public however has proved lethal to thousands and thousands of birds each wild and home.

“We’re seeing plenty of birds which can be getting sick and dying or having to be euthanized to go forward and attempt to management the unfold of this,” mentioned State Veterinarian Dr. Bob Gerlach.

The virus is primarily unfold by migrating waterfowl and whereas it hasn’t been detected in a wild chicken in Alaska but, Gerlach mentioned he’s assured it will likely be as extra geese, gulls, geese and shorebirds arrive day-after-day.

Alaska doesn’t have plenty of industrial poultry operations of the sort which were devastated by the virus within the Decrease 48, however Gerlach mentioned yard hen homeowners are equally in danger. The USDA has put out steering for poultry homeowners which Gerlach mentioned contains tips about learn how to reduce publicity to wild birds or their droppings. That might embrace holding chickens in a lined enclosure as a substitute of letting them run free.

“We now have lots of people with yard flocks which have them open,” Gerlach mentioned. “And when you will have them open, then wild birds can are available in, then you will have that danger of … contaminating these birds with the virus.”

Gerlach mentioned if the virus spreads, it may trigger cancellations to occasions like 4-H exhibitions, and even the poultry show on the Alaska State Truthful.

“My massive concern is, if we have now so many outbreaks, particularly in home populations, yard flocks, are we going to permit the gala’s and the exhibitions to go forward and proceed,” Gerlach mentioned. “Numerous states, as quickly as they’ve had these detections have closed down all gala’s and all reveals and exhibitions. In order that’s what we’re actually involved with.”

Gerlach mentioned individuals who discover sick or dying birds of their flock ought to report them to their very own veterinarian, or the state veterinarian’s workplace.

“Go forward and report it in order that we are able to go get a workforce on the market to go forward and choose samples and see if we have now an issue,” Gerlach mentioned.

Individuals who discover wild birds who’re sick or dying can e mail the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to report that.

And whereas the danger to people is low, Gerlach mentioned individuals who harvest wild birds ought to take precautions together with carrying gloves and ensuring the meat is completely cooked earlier than consuming.

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