The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) has been notified by the National Veterinary Services Laboratory of confirmed cases of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) strain: H5 2.3.4.4 in a lesser scaup, black vultures and other avian species. There is a low risk of HPAI transmission to humans and, to date, there have been no known human infections in North America.
The FWC is currently investigating bird mortalities in Brevard, Indian River and Volusia counties believed to be caused by HPAI. This strain has been documented in the United States since 2021 and was detected in hunter-harvested blue-winged teal in Palm Beach County in January 2022.
To prevent the spread of HPAI, the public should avoid handling sick or dead wildlife, prohibit the contact of domestic birds with wild birds, and report wild bird mortalities to FWC so deaths can be investigated. Please be advised that because HPAI is not treatable and is easily transmitted in wild birds, some wildlife rehabbers may not be accepting these animals at this time.
The FWC is working closely with the United States Department of Agriculture-Wildlife Services, Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, University of Florida, National Wildlife Health Center, Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, Florida Department of Health, and wildlife rehabilitators to investigate mortality events involving wild birds.
Additional Resources:
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission: MyFWC.com/AvianInfluenza
Florida Department of Health: floridahealth.gov/diseases-and-conditions/influenza/index.html
Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services: fdacs.gov/Consumer-Resources/Animals/Animal-Diseases/Avian-Influenza
U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service: aphis.usda.gov/aphis/ourfocus/animalhealth/animal-disease-information/avian/avian-influenza/defend-the-flock-hpai
Bird flu arrives in Volusia; MSC halts bird intakes
After receiving three waterbirds that tested positive for avian influenza last week, the Marine Science Center has closed avian areas to the public and halted the admission of sick and injured birds until further notice.
The three birds – two royal terns and one lesser scaup – were euthanized. Samples have been sent to Tallahassee, where technicians will determine the viral strain.
The avian flu, a highly contagious and often deadly viral infection that occurs naturally in birds, has also been identified in birds in Brevard, Indian River and Palm Beach counties. Since the beginning of February, the virus has also been reported in parts of Indiana, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia and Kentucky. It has been documented in Europe since early 2021.
“This was a difficult decision, but we had to take these steps to protect our current resident and patient birds,” said Chad Macfie, manager of the Marine Science Center. “We’re also ramping up our cleaning and safety protocols to help prevent the introduction of the virus into our facility.”
The Marine Science Center cares for sick and injured birds and provides a permanent residence for birds that cannot be released. The center currently houses 18 permanent residents and 18 birds that are undergoing treatment and rehabilitation. All of them have been tested for avian flu.
Additionally, Volusia County Mosquito Control is closely monitoring its sentinel chickens, which are placed in 12 locations throughout the county to help detect the presence of mosquito-borne illnesses.
Wild birds can carry the virus but may not always get sick from it. Vultures are of particular concern because they can pick up the virus while feeding on carcasses. Domesticated birds such as chickens, ducks and turkeys seem to have less ability to fight off the disease and can become infected, often fatally.
There is a low risk of transmission to humans and, to date, there have been no known human infections in North America.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is monitoring for the avian flu in birds found sick or dead of unknown causes. To prevent the spread of avian flu, the FWC advises that the public should avoid handling sick or dead wildlife, prohibit the contact of domestic birds with wild birds, and report wild bird mortalities at https://app.myfwc.com/FWRI/AvianMortality/ so the FWC can investigate the deaths.
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