#18,502
Ten days ago, in Louisiana & Missouri Report Waterfowl Die Offs As H5N1 Moves East, we noted the rapid spread of HPAI via migratory birds from the Western states - shifting both south and east - increasing the risk of human (and pet) exposure to the virus.Earlier this week, we saw a report out of Galveston County, Texas regarding potential exposure of several individuals to an H5 infected wild bird brought into animal rescue.
While most outbreaks and/or die offs in wild birds, or mammalian wildlife, go undetected, from the reports we are seeing there is obviously a lot of HPAI virus in the environment right now.
Much of this fall's activity appears to be driven by a new D1.x genotype, which has proved particularly aggressive both in wild birds and poultry, and has infected more than a dozen humans.
Overnight Lisa Schnirring emailed me the above notice from the Illinois Department of Public Health X account, which leads to the following joint agency announcement.
IDNR, IDPH, and IDOA monitoring avian influenza mortality events in waterfowl throughout Illinois
Press Release - Friday, December 20, 2024
SPRINGFIELD - The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) is monitoring a large event of waterfowl mortality at numerous locations throughout Illinois. Test results received so far indicate highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) is the cause.
The public is reminded to not handle or attempt to capture waterfowl or other wild birds displaying signs of illness.
IDNR will continue to monitor for HPAI mortality events throughout the state during the seasonal bird migration. Members of the public are encouraged to report concentrations of five or more deceased birds found at one location to IDNR district wildlife biologists by going online.
Due to risk of infection to other animals, dogs and other pets should be kept away from the carcasses of birds that may have died from HPAI. If carcasses need to be disposed of, IDNR recommends following guidance from the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH). IDNR is unable to assist with carcass removal from non-IDNR properties in most situations.
Local animal control agencies should also take similar precautions and follow the guidelines above in disposing of dead birds. In addition, IDPH recommends:
- Do not send dying or dead birds to veterinarians, wildlife refuges, etc., for testing. Instead, notify your local health department or alert IDNR wildlife biologists in cases of five or more deceased birds found in one location.
- People can get on antiviral medications after exposures to prevent illness.
- If the public develops any symptoms of the "flu" - fever, cough, sore throat, difficulty breathing, body aches, headaches, eye redness, vomiting or diarrhea - after exposure to sick or dead birds, please notify the local health department immediately. Upon seeking medical attention, please let any health care facility know of your exposure.
- Treatment must be started within two days of illness for it to be most effective, so the public is urged to not delay seeking care.
"While avian influenza generally poses a low risk to the population, it is essential to take the necessary steps to avoid exposure, and to seek treatment quickly if you are exposed," said IDPH Director Dr. Sameer Vohra. "We encourage all Illinoisans to follow the advice of the experts at IDNR in order to avoid contact with sick birds, and to take any potential exposure seriously. These common-sense steps can help reduce the likelihood of spreading this illness."
IDNR recommends that wildlife rehabilitators not accept waterfowl and other aquatic birds because of the elevated risk of infection by HPAI at this time. Caution should also be taken when accepting raptors, scavengers, and other birds displaying signs of illness due to risk of exposure to HPAI. Further guidance for wildlife rehabilitators regarding HPAI can be found online.
The Department reminds waterfowl hunters to take precautions and thoroughly cook game meat to an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit. Avoid handling sick or dead waterfowl found in the field. Further guidance for hunters can be found online.
In addition to detections in wild birds, Illinois and other states across the United States have seen detections in poultry.
"The Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDOA) encourages poultry owners to be aware of the risk, increase biosecurity measure and prevent contact with wild birds," said Dr. Mark Ernst, IDOA state veterinarian. "In addition, we encourage poultry owners to report unusually large mortalities in their flocks and to be aware of IDPH's recommendations regarding exposure to sick birds."
While the risk of infection to the `general population' continues to be described as `quite low', in recent months we've seen an growing number of groups - animal rescue workers, pet owners, backyard flock owners, and hunters - added to the traditional list of high risk individuals (agricultural workers, veterinarians, etc.).
It is also worth noting that not all birds (or mammals) infected with HPAI H5 will appear to be sick, dead, or dying. Asymptomatic carriers, however, may shed less virus and (hopefully) be less capable of spreading the disease.
The CDC also updated the following guidance document yesterday:
WHAT TO KNOW
This guidance outlines CDC’s recommendations for preventing human exposures to highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) A(H5N1) viruses and infection prevention and control measures, including the use of personal protective equipment, testing, antiviral treatment, patient investigations, monitoring of exposed persons, and antiviral chemoprophylaxis of exposed persons.
The following small excerpt outlines their general recommendations to the public.
Avoid exposure to sick or dead animals. If you are unable to avoid exposure, avoid unprotected (not using respiratory and eye protection) exposures to sick or dead animals including wild birds, poultry, other domesticated birds, and other wild or domesticated animals, as well as with animal feces, litter, or materials contaminated by birds or other animals with suspected or confirmed HPAI A(H5N1) virus infection.
Personal protective equipment (PPE) should be worn when in direct or close contact (within about six feet) with sick or dead animals including poultry, wild birds, backyard bird flocks, or other animals, animal feces, litter, or materials potentially contaminated with HPAI A(H5N1) viruses. PPE includes properly fitted unvented or indirectly vented safety goggles, disposable gloves, boots or boot covers, a NIOSH-Approved particulate respirator (e.g., N95® filtering facepiece respirator, ideally fit-tested), disposable fluid-resistant coveralls, and disposable head cover or hair cover. Adding a face shield over the top of goggles and a fluid resistant apron can enhance protection. Additional information on PPE recommendations for workers can be found online.
Cook poultry, eggs, and beef to a safe internal temperature to kill bacteria and viruses. Refer to CDC's safer foods table for a complete list of safe internal temperatures. Choosing pasteurized milk and products made with pasteurized milk is the best way to keep you and your family safe. Unpasteurized (raw) milk and products made from raw milk, including soft cheese, ice cream, and yogurt, can be contaminated with germs that can cause serious illness, hospitalization, or death. Pasteurization kills bacteria and viruses, like avian influenza A viruses, in milk.
People exposed to HPAI A(H5N1)-virus infected birds or other animals (including people wearing recommended PPE) should monitor themselves for new respiratory illness symptoms, and/or conjunctivitis (eye redness), beginning after their first exposure and for 10 days after their last exposure. Influenza antiviral post-exposure prophylaxis can be considered to prevent infection, particularly in those who had unprotected exposure to HPAI A(H5N1)-virus infected birds or other animals (more information below).
Persons who develop any illness symptoms after exposure to HPAI A(H5N1) virus infected birds or other animals should seek prompt medical evaluation for possible influenza testing and antiviral treatment by their clinician or public health department. Symptomatic persons should isolate away from others, including household members, except for seeking medical evaluation until it is determined that they do not have HPAI A(H5N1) virus infection.
Additionally, the CDC provides specific guidance to pet owners on how to limit their risk of infection from the virus (see What Causes Bird Flu in Pets and Other Animals).
While one would be hard-pressed to call all of this the `new normal', it is rapidly becoming our new reality.