Situational Update

After a quiet spring and summer, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is seeing a steady increase in sick and dead wild birds reported this September. This spike is occurring more than two months earlier than the previous year, with detections so far concentrated in central and north-central Iowa as well as Dubuque. Canada geese remain the most impacted species, but also mallard, red-tailed hawk, and possibly wood duck and American white pelican. Most birds have displayed the classical signs of highly pathogenic avian influenza, including irregular head and neck movements, tremors, or swimming in circles. Others have been lethargic or shown cloudy eyes.

Within the city of Dubuque, H5 avian influenza has been confirmed in Canada geese from two sites, with a number of additional reports coming from the surrounding area and specifically Bergfeld and Heritage Ponds. Please be aware that sick or dead geese may show up anywhere in the city during this period of heightened influenza activity.

The public is encouraged to keep their distance from sick geese or those that are easily approached without obvious sign of injury. Also keep pets from interacting with sick or dead birds or consuming carcass parts. While no human cases of H5 avian influenza have been linked to wild birds in the United States, there have been numerous cases linked to close contact with infected poultry and dairy cattle. Sick birds should not be handled or brought into shared living spaces. Rather, report sightings to Dubuque County Conservation at (563) 556-6745 or co*****************@***********ty.us.

If poultry producers or those with backyard flocks suspect signs of highly pathogenic avian influenza, they should contact their veterinarian immediately. Possible cases must also be reported to the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship at (515) 281-5305.

Background

Avian influenza is a highly transmissible, naturally occurring virus found in certain waterfowl and shorebirds. There are various subtypes and strains, most of which cause limited harm to domestic poultry (low pathogenic) but some of which are lethal (highly pathogenic).

The H5N1 strain that has been circulating since 2022 is the first time HPAI has affected wild birds in North America at a large scale.

HPAI can also affect animals that consume infected carcasses, including other birds like hawks, and mammals, like red fox. The virus can remain viable in a deceased bird or contaminated water for several weeks, depending upon environmental conditions.

Information for Waterfowl Hunters

Waterfowl hunters can use these simple precautions to limit their exposure while field dressing and consuming wild game: https://www.aphis.usda.gov/sites/default/files/fsc_hpai_hunters.pdf. Cooking meat to an internal temperature of 165° F can kill the virus, if present. Additionally, please bag and dispose of offal and carcass parts to prevent exposure to scavengers.

While there is some inherent risk to hunting dogs given the nature of their interaction with carcasses, sick birds often become poor, uncoordinated flyers and so are less likely to be harvested. Hunters should prevent dogs from interacting with unknown carcasses, and avoid feeding them raw meat from harvested birds. More information is available online at https://www.ducks.org/conservation/waterfowl-research-science/waterfowl-hunters-and-the-avian-flu-what-you-need-to-know.