Hello all, As many of you are aware, an avian influenza outbreak has been ongoing in domestic and wild birds across North America. Additionally, the NYS DEC has announced<https://www.dec.ny.gov/press/127337.html> a possible outbreak at the Game Farm. As bird watchers, you may be among the first to notice whether local birds may be affected, so I wanted to pass this information along to you.
The virus was first detected in New York in a shorebird from Suffolk County in February 2022. The first detection in Tompkins County was from a Canada Goose that tested positive in September 2022, followed by a handful of detections in the county since then. For latest records visit the USDA database<https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/ourfocus/animalhealth/animal-disease-information/avian/avian-influenza/hpai-2022/2022-hpai-wild-birds>. Avian flu H5N1 viruses have been detected in wild birds, poultry, some mammals, and in one person in the United States. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)<https://www.cdc.gov/flu/avianflu/inhumans.htm> considers the general public health risk from avian flu to be low. However, please see the information below for precautions and best practices. Handling: Guidance about Avian Influenza in New York State<https://www.nyc.gov/site/doh/health/health-topics/avian-flu.page> from NYC.gov * Avoid contact with birds that appear sick or have died. * Avoid contact with surfaces that have bird feces. * If you must touch sick or dead birds: * Wear gloves and a face mask. * Place dead birds in a double-bagged garbage bag. * Throw away your gloves and facemask after use. * Wash your hands well with soap and warm water. Reporting Report groups of sick or dead birds immediately. If avian influenza is suspected: * Statewide reporting * For poultry, call the NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets<https://agriculture.ny.gov/> at (518) 457-3502. * For wild birds, email the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation’s Wildlife Bureau<mailto:wildl...@dec.ny.gov> (it is helpful to submit a photo with your description if possible) or call (718) 482-4922 or (518) 478-2203. * For sick or injured wildlife, contact a local rehabilitator. See list of rehabilitators in New York State<https://www.dec.ny.gov/cfmx/extapps/sls_searches/index.cfm?p=live_rehab> * Tompkins County * Sick or injured wildlife found in Tompkins County may be reported to the Janet L. Swanson Wildlife Hospital<https://www.vet.cornell.edu/hospitals/janet-l-swanson-wildlife-hospital>: (607) 253-3060. * Dead wildlife in Tompkins County can be reported to the Cornell Wildlife Health Lab<https://cwhl.vet.cornell.edu/> at the Animal Health Diagnostic Center. (c...@cornell.edu<mailto:c...@cornell.edu> or (607) 253-3134). The lab will provide further instruction. Feeding Birds There is no official recommendation to take down feeders unless you also keep domestic poultry, according to the National Wildlife Disease Program. We do always recommend that you clean bird feeders and birdbaths regularly<https://feederwatch.org/learn/feeding-birds/safe-feeding-environment/?__hstc=75100365.eb7fe879edc0dda13fa43ba60d164352.1639069085291.1678130948444.1678142420974.1031&__hssc=75100365.2.1678142420974&__hsfp=669044239> as a way to keep many kinds of diseases at bay. For more information, see the Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s web page on avian influenza<https://www.allaboutbirds.org/news/avian-influenza-outbreak-should-you-take-down-your-bird-feeders/>. Thank you, Miyoko -- Miyoko Chu Director, Communications, Cornell Lab of Ornithology -- Cayugabirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsRULES http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/cayugabirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/Cayugabirds 3) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/CAYU.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
