How to Stay Safe with Avian Influenza

Avian influenza season is upon us, and the United States has been getting hit hard with a highly pathogenic strand. Avian influenza is not a new thing. It happens frequently, and usually is not an issue. But this season brought a new strand that is very easily spread and deadly, which has raised concerns for avian species across the country. The virus is spread primarily thought waterfowl and raptor avian species, but any avian species is at risk. Of course, the biggest risk comes to poultry and waterfowl that we keep on our property and commercial facilities and the lowest are exotic parrots kept indoors, but outdoor parrots are at the same risk as other outside avian species. That does not mean parrots cannot get it. In fact, as of the week of posting this, it was confirmed that parrots on a waterfowl rescue tested positive with the strand in Michigan. The link to that article is here.

               Not only is avian influenza a quick, tragic death for the avian species affected, it also is concerning for all other birds on the property and surrounding properties. Currently, the protocol for positive influenza birds is euthanasia of ALL avian species on the property, and the state will test all other properties within a specific radius of the positive property to try to contain the spread. So, if one of your birds’ tests positive, no matter the circumstance, the state will come in and euthanize them all. The reason for this is for preservation and to stop the spread. This virus can be spread to cats, dogs, and humans, though it is not very common. It’s a matter of public safety, as well as wildlife preservation. With big commercial farms, their bird’s waste goes somewhere. Other animals will come into contact with it, since it is spread through feces and urine, and continue the spread and devastation. Sine it is a public health safety concern as well, there is no room for error.

               This does not mean that we should panic. It is actually extremely easy to manage and keep avian influenza out of your home and away from your birds. Practicing biosecurity measures will ensure that virus does not come into your home or coops outdoors. Here are some of those measures to practice:

·        Keep birds inside: keeping birds indoors is the first step to success. If they do not come into contact with wildlife and their droppings, the disease is less likely to come into their environment. Parrots should be kept indoors and not go out to their outdoor aviaries. It is not advised for them to even go out in carriers or on a harness this season because we could touch outside objects that may have the virus living on it and then touch our bird, introducing risk. Poultry and waterfowl should be kept in their enclosed coops as much as possible. Keeping windows open inside the house is perfectly fine so your bird’s can still get some fresh air! The virus is mostly spread through direct contact than airborne.

o   What this does not mean is limiting vet visits because of avian influenza because you have to take your bird outside. You can still transport your birds outside to go to the vet. It is recommended for it to be a covered carrier (either covered with a towel or a plastic carrier) and for you to not put the carrier on the ground as much as possible. Also, bring some hand sanitizer to use on your hands before handling your bird since we would have been touching things outdoors. If you go to the vet, it is not recommended for your bird to be on the floor at the vet as much as possible, because shoes are a spreader of the virus. Your vet knows about avian influenza and the biosecurity precautions they need to follow to keep their patients safe. If you are concerned about the practices your vet does regarding the virus, give them a call and ask before your appointment. If the vet sees poultry and waterfowl species, as well as wildlife, ask what their quarantine procedures are to ensure animal safety.

o   Exception: if you must bring your birds outside for any reason, ensure that the habitat is secure and aids in decreasing exposure. A solid, connected roof should cover the entire aviary space. That way any flying birds cannot poop in the bird’s environment. You will also need to move all food and water dishes to the center of the aviary so they cannot be contaminated either. You will want to decrease the gaps in the bars of the enclosure to disallow any size bird through as a standard precaution. Ideally, the best situation for letting birds out is on a screened in porch where they do not have access to the ground unless biosecurity is also followed out there.

·        Wash your shoes: foot baths are a great standard practice for keeping viruses outside the environment. Foot baths should be set up at doors outside of your house, as well as outside any outdoor enclosures in use. Foot baths are shallow bowls that contain a cleaning agent that you walk through, then into the clean environment. no cleaning solution will be effective if there is organic matter on your shoes. You can either have a brush near the bath that you brush your shoes with before stepping into the solution or have two-foot baths, one with soapy water to help get that material off then the disinfecting one. You could also just simply take your shoes off outside or leave them in the garage as an effective measure. Here are some cleaning agents recommended:

o   An antibacterial soap is a good measure, since this virus has a lipid buildup on the outside to protect the virus, a good soapy water solution is a generally effective measure to break down the defense, making the virus far more sensitive and not able to live as long outside of a host.

o   F10SC Veterinary cleaner is a favorite of mine with birds. This is what I personally use to clean shoes. When diluted properly, it is effective at killing this virus. It is also then safe for parrots to be around, and completely safe for the bird to interact with once it is dried. You will want to be sure to get the clear solution linked above and not the green solution, as the green solution needs to be rinsed thoroughly before it is safe for a parrot to interact with, like bleach.

o   Bleach is that all around, will kill anything kind of method. It can change the color of shoes, as well as it is not safe for parrot’s respiratory system, so bringing the shoes inside their environment is not recommended unless rinsed.

·        Wash your hands is the overall best measure. A normal soap, hand sanitizer as longas organic material is removed before hand. Every time you come in from outside, it is a good measure to do. Setting up a hand sanitizer pump right at the doors with your foot baths are a great measure.

·        Keeping outdoor things outdoors will be a big help. Tools, gardening supplies, cleaning supplies, etc. that are used outdoors should be stored outdoors and not brought inside. If you need to bring them inside, they need to be immediately disinfected.

·        Do not store feed outside or in areas it could become exposed. A shed that is covered with the doors shut always would be better than under an awning. Food that was stored outside can easily become contaminated and then fed to the flock, spreading the virus and casualties.

·        Change your clothes when you come inside. This is really only a must if you have been around or in areas with waterfowl or raptor birds. The beach, a lake, a farm, hiking are all areas that could harbor risks that you bring in. Immediately changing clothes when you first come in, immediately putting them in a plastic bag that is then tied and sealed that’s brought immediately to the washer machine is very important. To take an extra set of precaution, take a shower using a regular bodywash to help be sure you are 100% contaminant free. To set up your washer to disinfect your clothes properly, use your regular detergent, or an antibacterial one, and wash on high heat and dry on high heat for at least 60 minutes.

o   If you cannot take off your clothes, you can spray some F10 on it. Most clothes are not affected by the chemical. This does not give a full level of protection, since clothes are porous, so the chemical will only be able to clean the very surface layer of the fabric and not completely. It is a good measure, but not perfect.

·        Avoid high risk areas. If you avoid areas that would put you at an increased risk of bringing the virus home then there is that much less of a chance to bring it home to your birds.

These are the main things you can do to protect yourself and your birds. Remember, we do not panic about this, but we take it seriously. This is a real risk that can have devastating effects if we do not practice biosecurity. In order to be even more informed to take the right precautions and make your own decisions, here are some extra free resources that you can check out!

This is a webinar from an avian vet that talks more in-depth about influenza, precautions, biosecurity, etc. Click here to watch it on YouTube.

This outlines confirmed cases by state including region and the environment and types of birds affected. Click here to search your state.