Many of us have been reading about avian flu in the national news lately, or hearing it as an explanation for why the egg supply has been so low at grocery stores. Even locally there have been some recent reports of the virus- there was a detection in wastewater in November and it caused the death of two cats in Goleta in December. Human cases have been relatively few across the US, and none have been reported in Santa Barbara County as of the writing of this article. However, we still need to be aware of the virus and take a few simple precautions to protect wildlife, pets, and ourselves.
While we typically think of influenza, or "flu," as the virus we get flu shots in the fall to prevent, there's actually many types of influenza viruses in existence, including H5N1, known commonly as avian or bird flu. The seasonal flu vaccine does not cover the H5N1 virus.
Unlike the types of influenza that flu vaccines cover, H5N1 avian flu is not widespread among people, but it is currently listed by the CDC as widespread among wild birds. It is capable of being transmitted between species, such as from birds to humans. Infectious diseases that can be transmitted between animals and humans are called zoonotic diseases, and they are of special concern for public health.
California declared a state of emergency in December after an outbreak began among dairy cows. Outbreaks in poultry farms have also occurred nationwide, causing chicken and egg shortages. The virus can also be deadly among backyard poultry flocks as well as wild bird populations. No large outbreaks have yet been reported locally- but it's our job to prevent one from happening.
Simple Ways to Slow the Spread of Avian Flu
First of all, don't touch or approach wild birds!
Not only could contact with wild birds expose you to this virus (as well as other illnesses like salmonella), it's also best for wildlife if we let them stay wild by keeping our distance. Hand-feeding or throwing food to ducks, crows, or other wildlife can cause them to un-learn their natural instinct of staying away from humans. That's not good for them or for the people they will then try to approach looking for food, especially during the time of avian flu.
If you find a bird or other wild animal that is injured, ill, or otherwise needs help, please contact the professionals at the Santa Barbara Wildlife Care Network. You can call their helpline at (805)681-1080 to have a trained volunteer come and rescue the animal.
Since avian flu can be transmitted between wild birds and pets, be extra careful to keep your pets away from birds- both living birds that your pet may be trying to catch, and dead birds that your pet may find and try to play with or eat. Keeping your cat inside or putting a bell on the collar is always a good idea anyways to protect birds from unnecessary predation.
You may want to rethink your birdfeeder or birdbath these days.
Birdfeeders and birdbaths encourage a lot of birds to congregate in one place and eat or drink from a shared source. This can make it easier for avian flu, and other pathogens, to spread between birds and cause an outbreak. This would be like if you hung out in a crowded restaurant during the pandemic, while also sharing a water glass with someone who is sick.
For this reason, you may want to consider taking down your birdbaths and/or feeders for the time being. If you leave them up, refresh and clean them often. This is especially important for birdbaths, as avian flu spreads through bird droppings. Cleaning instructions will differ depending on the material your birdbath or feeder is made from, but please make sure whatever you are using is 1) determined safe for birds, and 2) capable of killing common pathogens that affect birds.
Many native plants also make great alternatives to birdfeeders! They provide food sources that our native birds are adapted to, and allow birds to feed in a more natural way than out of a manmade surface that can spread germs. The Santa Barbara Botanic Garden has information about native plants suited for different purposes and areas.
Take extra precautions if you have chickens or other backyard poultry.
It is important to minimize contact between wild birds and domestic ones to avoid the virus being brought into your flock. Do not place birdfeeders, birdbaths, or other things that attract wild birds near your coop or run, and make the coop itself bird-proof and rodent-proof. Keeping wildlife out of your aviary is a good practice anyways as it helps avoid losing eggs and chicken feed to unwanted guests! If you have a large trough of water for your flock, make sure it is in a secure place where wild birds cannot use it for bathing or drinking. Also, do not feed your flock fallen fruit that has already been damaged by wild birds.
Since avian flu spreads through bird droppings, be mindful that bird droppings could be getting into your coop even if the birds themselves aren't. Build a hard roof over your coop, and your run if possible, to keep this from happening. Furthermore, keep separate coop shoes that you only wear in the coop, and not outside your property. This helps prevent tracking in germs from areas where wild birds may congregate.
More Resources about Avian Flu
As the author of this website, I am not an expert on avian flu by any means, although I have done my best to educate myself on it from reliable sources, with a focus on the human-wildlife interaction aspect, as well as the backyard poultry aspect, since I have chickens and want to protect them. Here are some good sources to check out if you want more specifics or advice about the virus:
The Centers for Disease Control has a page with updated information on avian flu as a national public health issue. For more locally specific information, check out the SB County public health website.
The Santa Barbara Wildlife Care Network, as the main wildlife rescue organization in our area, can speak to the impact of avian flu on wildlife and human-wildlife interactions, and advise you if you encounter birds or other wildlife that need help.
Talk to your veterinarian for information about keeping your pets safe.
The people working at Island Seed and Feed, while they are not veterinarians, are always a great source for common-sense backyard chicken advice, so they may be able to give you ideas of how to keep your flock safe these days.
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