By Tony Hagen • editor@newjersey.sierraclub.org
As of this writing, eight bald eagles in New Jersey are known to have succumbed to avian influenza. This is a concern because not only are bald eagles beloved creatures, but also New Jersey has gone to great lengths to restore the population.
In 2022, the state’s breeding population was slightly more than 500 birds, according to the NJ Bald Eagle Project and the NJ Department of Environmental Protection.
Of course, it is difficult to track the true impact of avian influenza because wild birds may fall sick and go unreported in remote areas unvisited by humans.
What is known is that bird flu is spreading across New Jersey, and health officials and animal rescue workers are on alert. The state has 47 live poultry markets, which are being monitored.
Throughout the state, reports have come in about infected mallard ducks, snow geese, bufflehead ducks, at least one peregrine falcon, fish crows, Canada geese, turkey vultures, swans, and other birds, principally waterfowl. Bears and some domestic cats (Hunterdon County) have contracted the illness, too.
“Evidence suggests that highly pathogenic avian influenza (H5N1) is currently widespread in wild birds in New Jersey,” said the Department of Fish and Wildlife, which has developed a wild bird disease reporting form to use if you find a sick or dead bird. Special precautions are advised to avoid direct contact with infected animals.
There are several strains of avian influenza that have been known to jump from animals to humans, although nationwide this has reportedly occurred just 70 times, with one human fatality. The big concern is that as the virus mutates it will acquire the ability to transmit from person to person and become more lethal.
Officials are advising people not to allow their domestic cats to wander out of doors because they may encounter infected birds and become infected.
H5N1 was first detected in geese in Guandong Province, China, in 1996. It has spread globally since then.
Nationally, as of April 23 this year, 12,875 cases of avian influenza had been reported in wild birds, according to the Centers for Disease Control. Among domestic poultry flocks, up to 169 million birds were affected, although this may mean that these flocks were compromised, not that each of these birds was infected.
Health officials caution pet owners about feeding their cats prepackaged food with raw ingredients or giving them unpasteurized milk.
Larger birds fall prey to avian influenza more easily than smaller ones, such as the passerines, or “perchers,” which are distinguished by rear-extending claws that enable them to grip branches firmly.
One explanation for the far lower transmission rate among songbirds is that they shed /expel lower amounts of virus than larger birds. For the fine print on passerines and H5N1, read this 2023 study.
It is considered safe to go on using bird feeders, but regular cleanings at least twice a month involving scrubbing and bleach are advised, and feeders should be completely dry before you refill them.
Birds die for many reasons, but if you see groups of five or more dead birds, it should be reported. Also be advised that state authorities may not investigate suspected bird flu if they already know it to be well established in an area.
New Jersey is an important flyway for migratory birds, so it is believed the disease could continue to spread here.