The spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) is raising alarms across Michigan and the nation as a huge number of domestic birds and wild migratory waterfowl have become infected and died or had to be euthanized. Tragically, large numbers of sandhill cranes in Indiana succumbed to the disease this winter, and large numbers of wild geese, ducks and other waterfowl have died over the course of the more than three-year outbreak of HPAI.
Many people with backyard bird feeders for songbirds question whether the feeders should be taken down to stem the spread. The Cornell Lab of Ornithology, one of the most respected sources on wild birds, recently addressed the issue in an article, “Avian Influenza Outbreak: Should You Take Down Your Bird Feeders?”
The article notes that despite the “widespread transmission of avian flu to wild bird species including waterfowl and raptors … there have been relatively few documented cases of HPAI in songbirds and other typical feeder visitors to date, although this may change with increased testing or changes to the virus.” The group recommends regularly cleaning bird feeders and baths to reduce the likelihood of spreading the virus.
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources echoes the finding that backyard feeders can continue to be used as long as they are cleaned regularly and provides guidance on identifying sick wild or domestic birds. The U.S. Department of Agriculture cautions that infected birds may not appear to be sick, which can lead to additional transmissions of the disease.
People should use caution when handling any dead wild birds. While dairy cows, cats and other mammals have contracted the disease, transmission of HPAI to humans is rare; however, limiting exposure to potentially infected birds is important.
The Eastern Ecological Science Center of the U.S. Geological Survey studied the long-term implications of this devastating disease to migratory waterfowl through data on the dispersion of the disease through migration. As more is learned about HPAI, efforts to find ways to treat or prevent it in humans and animals are underway.