[Tweeters] Safety precautions for Avian flu bird and mammal deaths in Washington and Oregon

[Diane Yorgason-Quinn]

The avian flu is a sad situation, but the danger to us and our pets hasn't been stressed enough.  From WDFW:


Additionally, recent detections of infected Caspian terns have been documented near the Port of Everett, Port of Tacoma, and along the lower Columbia River.

People and their pets should avoid all contact with sick or dead wildlife. While avian influenza infections among people are rare<https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDEsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmNkYy5nb3YvZmx1L2F2aWFuZmx1L3JlcG9ydGVkLWh1bWFuLWluZmVjdGlvbnMuaHRtIiwiYnVsbGV0aW5faWQiOiIyMDIzMDkwMi44MjAyNzk1MSJ9.y7HQ436sSYSrupOBLXcNbV-cAORw1JP0pALfhUwzyAU/s/1223124468/br/225232088069-l>, human infections can happen when the virus gets into a person’s eyes, nose, or mouth, or is inhaled. People may be at greater risk of bird flu virus infection during close or lengthy unprotected contact (not wearing respiratory protection or eye protection) with infected animals or surfaces contaminated with saliva, or feces of infected animals. Dogs and other animals<https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDIsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmNkYy5nb3YvZmx1L2F2aWFuZmx1L2F2aWFuLWluLW90aGVyLWFuaW1hbHMuaHRtIiwiYnVsbGV0aW5faWQiOiIyMDIzMDkwMi44MjAyNzk1MSJ9.90k_1LcrTbV-0VztTWT4dsOMfmHi2p-Tt-osMMQZOyY/s/1223124468/br/225232088069-l> can become sick with avian influenza, and care should be taken to avoid contact between pets and sick or dead animals. The United States Department of Agriculture monitors infections in wild mammals<mailto:https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/ourfocus/animalhealth/animal-disease-information/avian/avian-influenza/hpai-2022/2022-hpai-mammals> across the U.S.

Do not attempt to move sick wild animals to a veterinarian or rehabilitation center, or to your home, as this can spread the disease. WDFW continues to ask members of the public who find sick or dead birds to report them immediately using this online form<https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDMsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vc3VydmV5MTIzLmFyY2dpcy5jb20vc2hhcmUvYTM4NGU5MGY2OTc0NGYyZTg0NjEzNWE5Y2U4MDAyN2YiLCJidWxsZXRpbl9pZCI6IjIwMjMwOTAyLjgyMDI3OTUxIn0.4M-DFUTrgThLRVfI7wknl21pM9OUEBv2IEYmuUA0eLU/s/1223124468/br/225232088069-l>.

As resources are available, biologists may respond to remove carcasses and, if in an area or species where avian influenza has not been confirmed, test for the virus. Due to the magnitude of this outbreak, WDFW staff will not be able to respond to all reported cases. More detailed information about avian influenza is available on this WDFW webpage<https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDQsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vd2Rmdy53YS5nb3Yvc3BlY2llcy1oYWJpdGF0cy9kaXNlYXNlcy9iaXJkLWZsdSIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMzA5MDIuODIwMjc5NTEifQ.HBzHrRG_i8VMZ34GjLkh6KssBK2FoaC-ysC1FTaDd8A/s/1223124468/br/225232088069-l>. To report a dead, injured, or stranded marine mammal along the West Coast (i.e., off California, Oregon, and Washington) call the NOAA Fisheries West Coast Region Stranding Hotline: 1-866-767-6114.

Diane Yorgason-Quinn (and Laurel Parshall)
Gig Harbor, WA
Avosetta at hotmail.com

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