Bird flu outbreak reaches Wyoming

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) warned on Wednesday that the presence of bird flu has been confirmed in Wyoming. The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) have found the highly contagious virus in non-commercial, mixed-species backyard flocks in Johnson, Fremont and Park Counties.

The samples were tested at the Wyoming State Veterinary Laboratory, part of the National Animal Health Laboratory Network, and then confirmed at APHIS laboratories in Iowa.

Bird flu has now been detected in wild birds in 14 states – not including Wyoming – and commercial and backyard poultry in 13 states, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).

APHIS announced it was working on a joint incident response with state animal health officials. The infected premises have been quarantined and birds on the properties will be depopulated to prevent spread.

The CDC does not believe the outbreak is a high risk to the public.

“Based on available epidemiologic and virologic information about these viruses, CDC believes that the risk to the general public’s health from current H5N1 bird flu viruses is low,” according to a CDC statement.

“However, some people may have job-related or recreational exposures to birds that put them at higher risk of infection.”

The current H5N1 bird flu viruses, according to the CDC, were first identified in Europe in the fall of 2020 and spread across the globe. They have been spreading via wild birds and causing sporadic poultry outbreaks in many countries, most recently the US.

H5N1 viruses first emerged in southern China in 1996. Since 2003, the World Health Organization has recorded 860 human infections from 19 countries, of which around 53% resulted in death.

However, the CDC has found that the current viruses are different to earlier strains and do not seem to have the properties that have in the past been associated with easy spread among poultry, easy infection of humans and severe illness in people.

“At this time, only one human infection with current H5N1 bird flu viruses has been reported,” according to a CDC statement.

“That infection was found in January 2022 in a person in the United Kingdom who did not have any symptoms and who raised birds that became infected with H5N1 bird flu viruses.”

At this time, it is believed the current bird flu strains are both detectable using the same diagnostic tools used for seasonal flu and treatable with the antiviral medications used to treat seasonal flu.

The CDC recommends taking the precaution of avoiding direct contact with wild birds, which can be infected without appearing sick, and avoiding contact with poultry that appears ill or has died. Avoid contact with surfaces contaminated with bird feces.

If you work with or must handle wild birds or sick poultry, minimize direct contact by wearing gloves and wash your hands with soap after touching them; if available, a medical facemask is recommended.

Infected birds shed the virus through saliva, mucous and feces. While human infection is rare, it can happen if the virus enters the eyes, nose or mouth or is inhaled.

Spread of the bird flu virus between humans is believed to be rare.

APHIS further recommends that anyone involved with poultry production, whether a small backyard flock or a large commercial production facility, should review their biosecurity activities to assure the heath of their birds. If you are able to bring your birds indoors, this can minimize exposures.

APHIS further recommends preventing contact between their birds and wild birds and reporting sick birds or unusual deaths to state or federal officials, either through the state veterinarian or by calling APHIS at 1-866-536-7593. APHIS is able to provide indemnity payments for birds and eggs if they must be depopulated and provides compensation for disposal and virus elimination activities.

Signs of infection with avian influenza include sudden death without clinical signs, lack of energy and appetite, decreased egg production or misshapen eggs, swelling around the head, comb, eyelid, wattles and hocks, purple discoloration of wattles, combs and legs, nasal discharge, coughing, sneezing, incoordination or diarrhea.