Bird Flu, or also called Avian influenza, is caused by a virus that has several strains, some of which are more dangerous than others. Bird Flu is normally found in swans, geese, ducks, and others in the species of migratory waterfowl.
These birds can carry AI without getting sick. As they migrate, they spread the disease to other bird species as well as within their own colony.
According to The Raptor Center at the University of Minnesota, the strain currently being transmitted is a highly pathogenic form of H5N1, which has global agriculture trade impacts for the United States and can have severe impacts on susceptible birds of many species. While waterfowl can carry and shed this virus without any symptoms, birds like domestic chickens and raptors get severe illness and rapidly die. Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza is spread in the feces and respiratory secretions of infected birds and can be easily transmitted on objects contaminated with virus particles. The virus is tough and can survive cold and freezing temperatures, as well as survive in aquatic environments.
This avian influenza does not pose any risk to humans, and there are no human cases of avian influenza viruses in the United States. But the virus can be deadly in some birds.
The Raptor Center is closely monitoring our local wildlife populations for positive cases of avian influenza and working with other organizations to better understand the current outbreak and help guide the response.
Researchers recommend removing bird feeders and taking steps in discouraging bird gatherings at bird baths.
Hummingbird feeders are not without risk. However, they would pose the lowest risk as they tend to have a much more limited group of birds visiting them. In areas with substantial HPAI transmission consider pausing or, if you continue to use them, clean them on a daily basis to further reduce risk.
Source: The Raptor Center ( University of Minnesota)
Additional Resources:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Avian_influenza
https://raptor.umn.edu/about-us/our-research/HPAI
- Observing World Bee Day
WORLD BEE DAYWorld Bee Day is celebrated on May 20 each year to acknowledge the role of bees and other pollinators for the ecosystem. #WorldBeeDayhttps://tnc.network/stories-this-moment/ - NASA, Partners Offer Global View of Environmental Changes
Continuing the collaboration that produced the COVID-19 Earth Observing Dashboard in 2020, NASA and its international partners in Europe and Japan have combined the collective scientific power of their Earth-observing satellite data in expanding the online resource to document a broad array of planet-wide changes in the environment and human society. The expanded dashboard from… Read more: <strong>NASA, Partners Offer Global View of Environmental Changes</strong> - Earthworms Like to Eat Some Plastics, but Side Effects of Their Digestion Are Unclear
Newswise — Earthworms are a welcome sight for gardeners and farmers because the wriggling invertebrates recycle nutrients from soil, making them more accessible to plants. As worms burrow, they consume almost everything in their path, including microscopic plastic pollution. Now, researchers reporting in ACS’ Environmental Science & Technology have observed that earthworms actually prefer soil with some… Read more: Earthworms Like to Eat Some Plastics, but Side Effects of Their Digestion Are Unclear - In sediments below Antarctic ice, scientists discover a giant groundwater system
Previously unmapped reservoirs could speed glaciers, release carbon Newswise — Many scientists say that liquid water is a key to understanding the behavior of the frozen form found in glaciers. Melt water is known to lubricate their gravelly bases and hasten their march toward the sea. In recent years, researchers in Antarctica have discovered hundreds… Read more: In sediments below Antarctic ice, scientists discover a giant groundwater system - Actionable Environmental Impacts at Home: Swap common household devices to curb your carbon footprint
(Family Features) In every room of your home, you’ll likely find numerous devices, appliances and fixtures that rely on the electric grid for power. Collectively, they affect your carbon footprint more than you may realize. Converting to lower carbon alternatives can help you be a better steward for the environment while reducing your reliance on… Read more: Actionable Environmental Impacts at Home: Swap common household devices to curb your carbon footprint
One Response