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Owl WILDLIFE DIVISION
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Avian flu may be risk to falcons

January 14, 2015

Dear Oregon Falconers

The recent outbreak of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) continues to be found in a broader distribution across Oregon and our neighboring states. Most recently, surveillance has identified the HPAI H5N2 virus in a hunter shot mallard on the Fern Ridge Wildlife Area near Eugene. However, we suspect the HPAI strains (H5N2 and H5N8) to be in wild waterfowl throughout the state. California has also documented the virus in waterfowl and it has been found as far west as Davis County, Utah. In addition, additional falconry birds in Idaho died following consumption of suspected infected waterfowl. To date, we have not seen indications that the virus causes sickness or death in wild waterfowl and no human cases of influenza from these virus strains have been reported anywhere in the world.

With this information, we continue to advise falconers to refrain from hunting wild waterfowl or feeding their birds wild waterfowl meat or organ tissue. Since we are not certain when these virus strains arrived in North America from migratory birds, it is also advised to err on the side of caution when feeding recently stored frozen waterfowl to raptors. The clinical signs observed in affected raptors may include feather fluffing, rhythmic side to side head movements, incoordination or irregular movements, head held at an angle, loss of appetite, loss of balance and motor control, and tremors. These signs are related to neurological disease caused by the virus. If you have a bird exhibiting these signs, we advise that you contact your veterinarian or give us a call at the Wildlife Health Lab.

If you have questions concerning the details of this HPAI viral outbreak or want to discuss the health of your birds, feel free to call us toll-free at 866-968-2600.

Colin Gillin
State Wildlife Veterinarian
Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife
Wildlife Health and Population Laboratory
7118 NE Vandenberg Ave.
Corvallis, OR 97330


December 31, 2014

Oregon Falconers

With the current outbreak of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in Northwestern Washington and Winston, Oregon, ODFW and our federal partners are increasing surveillance for additional cases of HPAI in wild birds both from field surveillance of hunter harvested birds and from cases encountered by wildlife rehabilitators of avian species. The 2 HPAI virus strains currently circulating (H5N2 and H5N8), have not shown noticeable disease symptoms in wild waterfowl at this point in time. However, one of the Washington index cases involved a gyrfalcon that succumbed to HPAI after feeding on an infected wild duck. Additionally, we are working very closely with State Veterinarian, Brad Leamaster and his staff at ODA as this virus strain has the greatest impact on Oregon’s poultry producers and will affect exports nationally and internationally and ultimately impact this sector of our state economy.

Neither strain has caused disease in humans in Europe or Asia or the US however, heightened biosecurity should be practiced to reduce your exposure to potential zoonotic avian viruses by isolating sick birds, providing them with appropriate veterinary support, and applying good sanitation and decontamination protocols if you suspect avian influenza infection in one of your birds.

As part of our standard surveillance protocol, we ask that you report any illness or infections in your birds of prey, particularly if you feel disease was transmitted from an avian prey species. You can reach our vet staff here at the Wildlife Health Lab using our toll-free number 866-968-2600. My direct cell phone number is 541-231-9271. The avian influenza virus can be transmitted to birds of prey from all ducks (including sea ducks), geese, swans, seabirds (alcids, fulmar, cormorants, grebes) cranes and herons. If you suspect your bird is sick, one of our staff can sample your bird for exposure to AI. In a sick bird, you may see viral symptoms that include edema or swelling of the head, nasal discharge, depression or other signs of illness. Any corvid, gull, raptor, owl, or avian species that would potentially scavenge or predate upon/eat waterfowl/seabirds could be candidates for infection involving AI.

As guidance, we are suggesting that falconers avoid hunting wild avian species and particularly waterfowl during this HPAI outbreak. We presently do not know the full extent or distribution of the HPAI strains in Oregon, but we are conducting active statewide surveillance with our USDA, USGS, and USFWS partners throughout Oregon and in surrounding states. We will send you periodic email updates to relay information on the surveillance efforts and guidance indicating the risk of infection has declined from wild avian prey species.

If you have any questions, please feel free to call us at one of the numbers above. Thanks for your help and a Happy New Year and a prosperous 2015 to you from all the wildlife staff at ODFW.

Colin Gillin
State Wildlife Veterinarian
Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife
Wildlife Health and Population Laboratory
7118 NE Vandenberg Ave.
Corvallis, OR 97330

 
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