#16,983
Despite a plethora of disease threats on our plate - COVID, influenza, Monkeypox, Swine-variant influenza, whatever is causing the pneumonia outbreak in Argentina, and even polio - we've another wildcard to consider; the ongoing avian HPAI H5 epizootic which has devastated poultry and wild bird populations in Europe and in North America.
While HPAI H5 did moderate in most regions over the summer, it never truly went away, raising concerns that the virus has become endemic in both North American and European birds.
This week, in addition to ongoing wild bird infections across the nation, two Midwestern states (Minnesota and Indiana) have reported rare summer outbreaks in poultry, with the Minnesota Board of Animal Health stating:
“While the timing of this detection is a bit sooner than we anticipated, we have been preparing for a resurgence of the avian influenza we dealt with this spring,” said Senior Veterinarian Dr. Shauna Voss. “HPAI is here and biosecurity is the first line of defense to protect your birds.”
While Asia and Europe have been no strangers to fall and winter surges of avian flu, North America has been largely immune, with only one HPAI H5 epizootic (2015) before 2022.
Once considered just a threat to poultry and wild birds, HPAI H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b viruses have evolved to become better suited for carriage by migratory birds, have increased their avian host range (see DEFRA: The Unprecedented `Order Shift' In Wild Bird H5N1 Positives In Europe & The UK), and have shown a greater affinity for infecting mammals (see partial list below).But even outside of North America this summer's activity has been unusual.
Canada: First Detection Of H5N1 In A Black Bear
Sweden: First Known Infection of A Porpoise With Avian H5N1
Maine: Seal Deaths Linked To Avian H5N1
Quebec: Seal Deaths Linked To Avian H5N1
Two States (Michigan & Minnesota) Report HPAI Infection In Wild Foxes
Ontario: CWHC Reports HPAI H5 Infection With Severe Neurological Signs In Wild Foxes (Vulpes vulpes)
Discovery of red foxes with bird flu
Red fox
At the end of August, samples were taken from a dead red fox on Kårvåg, which turned out to be infected with bird flu.In July, bird flu was detected in red foxes for the first time in Norway. This was in Stad and Kinn municipalities. The red fox on Kårvåg is thus the third finding of a red fox with bird flu in Norway.
Human infections have thankfully been very few and mild. Nevertheless, 3 months ago the CDC Added Zoonotic Avian A/H5N1 Clade 2.3.4.4b To their IRAT List of influenza viruses with pandemic potential.
Due to concerns over human exposure to avian flu, yesterday the USDA/APHIS issued the following restrictions on wild bird game meat from Canada.
Published: Sep 2, 2022
Stakeholder Alert: Restrictions on Hunter Harvested Wild Bird Game Meat from Canada
Issued: September 2, 2022Effective: September 2, 2022
Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) has been detected in both wild birds and poultry in Canada. The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency have a zoning agreement in place to reduce the movement restrictions for trade in poultry and poultry products. However, these zones do not apply to wildlife.
Hunter-harvested wild game bird trophies entering the United States from Canada must be fully finished, or accompanied by a VS import permit, or consigned directly to a USDA Approved Establishment. Hunters may find an approved taxidermy establishment by visiting the Veterinary Services Process Streamlining (VSPS) search page and searching for a taxidermist with the HPAI product code in your state.
Hunter-harvested unprocessed wild game bird meat/carcasses, originating from or transiting Canada, will not be permitted to enter the United States regardless of the Canadian province from which the bird was harvested. APHIS is aware of the impact this will have on hunting season and will provide updates if new information is received.
For any questions regarding import of animal products and by-products, please contact Animal Product Imports at 301-851-3300 or send an email to APIE@usda.gov.
The assumption is that HPAI H5 has been circulating in the high latitude roosting areas of Alaska, Canada, Siberia, and the arctic over the summer months - potentially reassorting with other avian flu viruses - and will return this fall on the wings of southbound migratory birds.
For North America, most concerning is what may be happening in Alaska, since more than 200 species of birds - many of which migrate to the lower 48 each winter - spend their summers in the 19-million acre Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.
While we may not know what evolutionary changes (may, or may not) have occurred over the summer, we do know that HPAI has been frequently detected in Alaska over the past few months, as well as above the arctic circle in Europe.
(Page 1 of 10)
Because there are so many unknowns, and new, and improved subtypes may be on the way, the CDC has some advice for the public how to deal with the avian flu threat this winter.
Avoid direct contact with wild birds and observe them only from a distance, if possible. Learn more.
What to do if you find a dead bird
Avoid contact with wild or domestic birds that appear ill or have died and call to report sick or dead birds. Learn more.
Preparing food
It is safe to eat properly handled and cooked poultry in the United States. Learn more.
Traveling to other countries
CDC does not currently recommend any travel restrictions related to bird flu to countries affected by bird flu in poultry or people. Learn more.
If you have contact with infected birds and become sick
Learn what to do if you have contact with infected birds and become sick. Learn more.
Clinician, laboratorian or public health worker
Visit CDC’s avian influenza (bird flu) information for health professional and laboratorians webpage for the latest guidance. Learn more
Get a seasonal flu vaccine
Seasonal flu vaccination will not prevent infection with bird flu viruses, but can reduce the risk of getting sick with human and bird flu viruses at the same time. Learn more.
This recent, rapid spread of HPAI H5 has a lot of scientists genuinely worried (see Nature Why unprecedented bird flu outbreaks sweeping the world are concerning scientists).
But even if HPAI H5 remains only a threat to poultry and wild birds (and the occasional fox, or seal), it could still have a big impact on the cost of poultry and eggs this winter, and large culling operations could put thousands of farmers (and their employees) into financial jeopardy.
Where HPAI H5Nx goes from here is unknowable, and it may eventually fizzle, but we can't afford to ignore its potential.
