FLU AND YOU

H5N1 Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza

As most of you are already aware, H5N1 is traveling northward with the returning Canada Geese and wildfowl. Migratory passerines (song birds) carry this virus as well.

H5N1 is typically transmitted orally through the contamination of feed and water by feces, although close proximity respiratory transmission is possible as well.

The CDC has an excellent website and map of the current outbreak progression and tips to avoid transmission of the virus:

https://www.cdc.gov/bird-flu/situation-summary/index.html

https://www.cdc.gov/bird-flu/situation-summary/data-map-commercial.html

Also, for map and data nerds, you will love this historical analysis of avian flu and its pathogenicity worldwide. Wisconsonites will be happy that it is snowing today; virus survival is inversely proportional to the temperature outside!

https://cahfs.umn.edu/dashfluboard-avian-influenza-tracker

You can protect your avian friends by:

1) Limiting exposure to birds outside of your personal flock.

2) Avoid feeding wild birds, or use disposable gloves when handling feeders and bird baths.

3) Keeping your precious poults away from communal water sources. Clean water dishes with dilute bleach daily. Regrade any pooling water in the yard.

4) Cooking all poultry well, including eggs

5) Keeping kitty inside. He will just come in with a dead passerine and influenza breath.

Watch for clinical signs in pets including sneezing, nasal discharge, and ocular edema, Sometimes neurological and gastrointestinal anomalies are present as well.

Seek veterinary medical attention, and quarantine these individuals for a minimum of 30 days.

Remember that H5N1 can affect many mammals as well: foxes, bobcats, cows, house cats, and apparently, 2 crazy people in the Upper Penninsula (You know who you are)

Stay safe, wash your hands, be nice to each other.