Avian Influenza: What You Need To Know About The Bird Flu

Season 5, Episode 240

Avian Influenza:  2 Types Of Viruses 

There are two types of virus:

• Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI): Virus strains are extremely infectious, often fatal to domestic poultry and can spread rapidly from flock to flock.
• Low Pathogenicity Avian Influenza (LPAI): Virus strains occur naturally in wild migratory waterfowl and shorebirds without causing illness. LPAI can infect domestic poultry with little or no signs of illness.

Avian Influenza: The Signs In Birds & Poultry

• Sudden, unexplained death
• Decline in water consumption
• Decreased egg production and depression in layers
• Purple or dry combs
• Quieter than normal
• Frequently laying down
• Swelling around eyes

Procedures For Wild Birds

The primary carriers of avian influenza A are waterfowl, gulls, terns and shorebirds. Avoid direct contact with wild birds and observe them only from a distance. Wild birds can be infected without showing symptoms of the infection.

• The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) currently believes that the public health risk from the current HPAI outbreak is low. They advise avoiding direct contact with sick or dead wild birds. Individuals should also avoid transporting sick or dead birds.
• Do not handle dead wild birds. Avian influenza surveillance and testing in wild birds is being done by USDA APHIS Wildlife Services and North Dakota Department of Game and Fish.
• Please report wild sick and dead birds at https://gf.nd.gov/wildlife/diseases/mortality-report. Wild bird avian influenza questions can be directed to 701-204-2161.
• Reduce the attractiveness for wild birds to stop at your place by cleaning up litter and spilled feed around your domestic poultry housing.

When should you move wild bird carcasses?

While handling and transporting carcasses is not advised, there may be some cases where it is required to minimize transmission of HPAI and continue normal activities. This would be especially true to limit contact with domestic poultry, or if fields need to be worked in preparation for planting, etc.

Handling

According to the CDC: “If you must handle wild birds or sick or dead poultry, minimize direct contact by wearing gloves and wash your hands with soap and water after touching birds. If available, wear respiratory protection such as a medical facemask. Change your clothing before contact with healthy domestic poultry and birds after handling wild birds, and discard the gloves and facemask, disinfect footwear, and then wash your hands with soap and water.”

Disposal

It is critical that carcasses are disposed of properly to reduce the risk for transmission to domestic flocks and other wildlife. Numerous cases of mortality in eagles, hawks and owls have occurred as a result of scavenging on dead bird carcasses. For this reason, moving carcasses to new areas and discarding them on the landscape should be avoided, as this may unintentionally contribute to more cases.

Acceptable disposal options for wild bird carcasses include:

• Move carcasses to the edge of the field.
• Burial is acceptable for small numbers of birds. Be sure to bury carcasses four feet above the water table with four feet of cover. If possible bury birds in clay soils.
• Burn carcasses. Be sure to check if you are under a burn ban prior to burning, 
• Dispose at an approved municipal solid waste landfill. Please contact the landfill to determine disposal protocols.
• Carcasses must be double bagged. Bags must be disinfected before transporting to the landfill. Be sure to use a disinfect registered for use against AI, https://www.epa.gov/pesticide-registration/antimicrobial-products-registered-disinfection-use-against-avian-influenza
• Following disposal be sure to disinfect the vehicle used to transport the carcasses.

REFERENCES:

https://www.ndsu.edu/agriculture/ag-hub/highly-pathogenic-avian-influenza

https://www.ndsu.edu/agriculture/extension/publications/highly-pathogenic-avian-influenza-hpai

https://www.aphis.usda.gov/livestock-poultry-disease/avian/avian-influenza/hpai-detections/wild-birds

https://www.aphis.usda.gov/livestock-poultry-disease/avian/avian-influenza/hpai-detections/commercial-backyard-flocks

Snake Bite Are Becoming More Common

Snake season is upon us.  Make sure you know the does and don’t of what to do in case of a snake bite

Do’s for Snake Bites:

• Call for help: Immediately call 911 or your local emergency number. 
• Stay calm and still: Minimize movement to slow the spread of venom. 
• Remove jewelry and tight clothing: Swelling may occur, making it difficult to remove these items later. 
• Keep the bite area below heart level: This helps slow the venom’s circulation. 
• Wash the wound: Clean the bite with soap and water. 
• Cover the bite: Apply a clean, dry dressing. 
• Take a photograph of the snake (if safe): This can help medical personnel identify the snake species and determine the appropriate treatment. 

Don’ts for Snake Bites:

• Don’t assume the snake is harmless: Always treat a snakebite as serious. 
• Don’t try to catch or kill the snake: This can lead to further bites. 
• Don’t use a tourniquet: Tourniquets can cause serious complications, including blood clots and potential amputation. 
• Don’t apply ice or cold compresses: This can damage tissue. 
• Don’t cut into the bite or try to suck out the venom: These practices are ineffective and can be harmful. 
• Don’t take pain relievers like aspirin or ibuprofen: These medications can interfere with the treatment of snake venom. 
• Don’t give the person anything to eat or drink: This can interfere with medical treatment. 
• Don’t try to identify the snake if it’s not safe to do so: Safety comes first. 

State Record Fish In Connecticut

A new state record has been set for the largest freshwater fish ever caught in Connecticut. In May, angler Rafal Wlazlo landed a massive 45-pound, 8-ounce Common Carp at Lake Lillinonah, making it the heaviest freshwater fish recorded in the state.

According to the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP), Wlazlo’s catch now holds the official title for the largest freshwater fish in Connecticut history.

Wlazlo, owner of Carp Angler, noted that carp fishing is hugely popular in Europe and is gaining traction as a niche yet growing sport in the United States.

Prior to this record-breaking carp, the largest freshwater fish on record in Connecticut included a 29-pound Channel Catfish, Lake Trout, and Northern Pike.

REFERENCES: https://www.nbcconnecticut.com/news/local/common-carp-fish-connecticut-state-record-lake-lillinonah/3577638/

https://www.carpangler.com/

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