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Deadly avian flu strain found in Florida’s wild birds, state says

The lesser scaup and black vulture are among bird species impacted by the infectious strain.
 
Black vultures line a tree at the Panther Island Mitigation Bank on June 7, 2018, near Naples. Florida wildlife officials say black vultures are one of the species impacted by an infectious and deadly avain flu strain detected in the state.
Black vultures line a tree at the Panther Island Mitigation Bank on June 7, 2018, near Naples. Florida wildlife officials say black vultures are one of the species impacted by an infectious and deadly avain flu strain detected in the state. [ BRYNN ANDERSON | AP ]
Published Feb. 23, 2022|Updated Feb. 23, 2022

Federal scientists have confirmed cases of an infectious avain flu strain in several species of Florida birds, the state announced Tuesday.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission said it is investigating bird mortalities in Brevard, Indian River and Volusia counties that are believed to be caused by “Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza.”

The agency was notified of the presence of the disease by the National Veterinary Services Laboratory, according to an FWC statement released Monday. The affected species include the lesser scaup, black vulture “and other species,” the FWC said.

The agency said there is low risk of transmission to humans “and, to date, there have been no known human infections in North America.”

Related: Scientists develop measuring stick for Florida’s Red Tides

The strain, H5 2.3.4.4, has been documented in the United States since 2021, and it was detected in hunter-harvested blue-winged teal in Palm Beach County in January.

The FWC urged people not to handle sick or dead wildlife and to prevent the contact of domestic birds with wild birds. All bird deaths should be reported to the FWC so the agency can conduct an investigation, it said.

HPAI is not treatable and is easily transmitted in wild birds, so some wild bird rehab facilities may not be accepting birds at this time, the FWC said.

The agency is working with the U.S. Department of Agriculture-Wildlife Services, Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, University of Florida, National Wildlife Health Center, Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, Florida Department of Health and wildlife rehabilitators to investigate the recent deaths associated with the strain.

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Help Florida contain the avian flu

The public can help wildlife officials detect and contain strains of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza, also known as HPAI and avian flu.

  • Anyone who spots sick or dead birds is asked to report what they saw and the location to the state’s online bird mortality database at app.myfwc.com/FWRI/AvianMortality/ so the incident can be investigated and the birds tested.
  • Do not let captive or domestic birds come into contact with wild birds, especially waterfowl.
  • Do not touch or handle sick or dead birds or other wildlife.
  • Most wildlife rehabilitation facilities in areas where avian flu has been detected will not take in sick birds.
  • For more information about avian influenza visit bit.ly/36Bo5t2.