In an effort to slow the spread of the highly contagious and often fatal bird flu, which has been confirmed in at least two dozen states, including Michigan and Ohio, biologists in the Great Lakes State have suggested that the public can consider temporarily removing backyard bird feeders.
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources did not make a formal recommendation to take that action, but as an informational advisory stated that removing these food sources “could be helpful” in situations where there are species that are highly susceptible to this fatal disease living nearby.
The MDNR stated that if there are high-risk species, such as blue jays, crows, or ravens utilizing backyard feeders, it “could be a wise choice” to temporarily remove the feeders in order to eliminate birds gathering in a congregate setting where the disease could be transmitted easily.
“If you’re concerned about this virus and want to act from a place of abundant caution, removing your bird feeders, for now, makes sense, but it isn’t yet a critical step,” said Megan Moriarty, the state wildlife veterinarian with the MDNR.
She indicated that while state biologists are responding to detections of avian influenza identified as HPAI, there have been inquiries from Michigan residents about the recommended safety measures to take to protect humans, poultry flocks, and wild birds. Moriarity added that as the spring migration of songbirds and other species gains momentum in the coming weeks, concerns have heightened since those birds will often utilize backyard feeders.
“Current research suggests songbirds are less susceptible to highly pathogenic avian influenza and are unlikely to play a significant role in spreading the virus,” Moriarty said. “However, much remains unknown, and surveillance and testing for HPAI in this group of birds is less common, resulting in a knowledge gap.”
Moriarity reminded the legions of backyard bird-feeding citizens that as the season changes and the landscape comes back to life on so many levels, providing supplemental food sources for the birds is not nearly as important as it was a month or two ago.
“With warmer springtime weather on the way, too, birds will have more natural food sources readily available to them,” she said, “so chances are many people will be taking down feeders in a few weeks anyway.”
The MDNR and many other agencies and private entities involved with wildlife strongly encourage backyard bird-feeding members of the public to thoroughly clean their feeders once a week with a diluted bleach solution, remove seed that has fallen to the ground to discourage birds from congregating in that area, and to never feed wild birds near domestic flocks.
The shorebirds, raptors, and waterfowl native to Ohio and Michigan all are vulnerable to bird flu, as are domestic flocks of chickens, turkeys, pheasants, and quail.
The disease has had a measurable impact on not only those species frequenting backyard bird feeders, but also on commercial poultry flocks, small backyard urban and suburban flocks, and those wild birds in captivity. Until this most recent outbreak, the bird flu had not been detected in the United States since 2016.
At this time, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources has not issued any directives related to backyard bird feeders and the bird flu, according to Stephanie O'Grady, media and outreach specialist with the ODNR. The agency and its Division of Wildlife have, however, been working closely with the Ohio Department of Agriculture, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and various other agencies to closely monitor the disease.
In mid-March, the Division of Wildlife confirmed that two bald eagles and a herring gull that were found dead in Ottawa and Erie counties likely had been killed by the highly pathogenic avian influenza. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Veterinary Services Laboratory conducted the testing to confirm the presence of HPAI in the dead birds.
In late February, the Ohio Department of Agriculture reported that bird flu had been detected in a backyard flock of 15 chickens in Franklin County in central Ohio. At the time, the ODA issued a recommendation to poultry owners to follow best management practices and increase their focus on biosecurity around their flocks.
The Ohio Division of Wildlife has advised the wildlife rehabilitation operations in the state to take additional steps to avoid introducing the disease to their facilities and to increase the steps they take to detect the presence of bird flu. The operators of these rehab sites have been urged to enhance their sanitation work, increase the observation of birds in their care, quarantine any birds suspected of being infected, and limit the use of any birds in their educational programs in the community.
Bird flu is often spread by ducks, geese, shorebirds, and other migratory birds and is transmitted through feeding, droppings, and other interactions. USDA officials say the virus does not present an immediate public health threat, but as a precautionary measure individuals should avoid handling any birds that are sick or dead.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, no human cases of this strain of HPAI virus have been detected in the United States. The CDC also stated that no birds or bird products infected with HPAI will enter the food chain.
Ohio residents can report sick or dead wild birds suspected of having bird flu via the 800-WILDLIFE (945-3543) number or the wildohio.gov website. In Michigan, unusual or unexplained deaths among wild bird populations can be reported to the MDNR Wildlife Disease Laboratory at 517-336-5030 or by using the MDNR's Eyes in the Field app.
First Published April 25, 2022, 2:31 p.m.