What North American Bird Watchers Should Know about the "Bird Flu"

With frequent media coverage raising concerns about Avian Influenza, the Cornell Lab of Ornithology has compiled the following information to help you better understand the virus and assess the threat.

Source: Cornell Lab of Ornithology - November 21, 2006

Summary:

It is safe to feed wild birds, watch birds, and monitor nest boxes.
Nearly all cases of human illness from the H5N1 virus have been associated with close contact with diseased poultry or poultry products.
There are no documented cases of humans becoming infected with the H5N1 virus from wild birds, except for an unconfirmed case in Azerbaijan in which patients may have become ill after de-feathering swans.
Outbreaks of the H5N1 virus have been found more often among domestic poultry than among wild birds.
While wild birds are capable of carrying the H5N1 virus when they migrate, in most cases so far, the virus appears to have spread to new locations through the transportation of infected poultry and poultry products.
The highly pathogenic H5N1 virus is not easily transmitted from person to person. It is possible that the virus could mutate to more dangerous forms but no one knows when, if at all, this will occur.


What other experts say:

Rob Fergus, Science Coordinator with the National Audubon Science Office
As quoted in Lawn and Garden Retailersmagazine, August 2006 – Explaining the Avian Flu:

“No one has ever contracted avian flu from wild birds in their yards.”
“Even if the virus were to arrive in North America, it is mostly a disease of water birds and domestic poultry.”
“The small birds in your backyard, even if they were to contract H5N1, could only spread it to humans if there were close and prolonged contact with infected birds.”
“There is no evidence to suggest people can contract H5N1 from wild birds without such close and prolonged contact with the bodies or secretions of infected birds.”
“By keeping bird feeders and birdbaths clean and by washing up thoroughly after servicing them, there is almost no way to contract H5N1.”
“Most wild birds infected with H5N1 die without spreading the virus to other birds; in the unlikely event that wild birds do carry the virus to the United States, it probably will not persist long in the wild bird population.”
Dr. David Bonter of the Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology

“The spread of the H5N1 strain of the flu across Asia and Europe is certainly a cause for concern. However, there has not been a documented case of the H5N1 strain in wild birds in North America. There is no need to be concerned about feeding birds.”

Royal Society for the Protection of Birds Web Site

“It is extremely unlikely that Avian Influenza could be transmitted to people by feeding birds in the garden, but good hygiene at bird feeding stations is sensible, in any case. It is, of course, sensible to wash your hands thoroughly after feeding ducks or other birds. It is advisable not to let birds feed out of your hands, and again, to wash your hands thoroughly if you come into contact with bird droppings, especially before eating or drinking.”

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Web Site

“There is no evidence of H5N1 having caused disease in birds or people in the United States. At the present time, there is no risk of becoming infected with H5N1 virus from bird feeders. Generally, perching birds (Passeriformes) are the predominate type of birds at feeders. While there are documented cases of H5N1 causing death in some Passeriformes (e.g., house sparrow, Eurasian tree-sparrow, house finch), in both free-ranging and experimental settings, none occurred in the U.S. and most of the wild birds that are traditionally associated with avian influenza viruses are waterfowl and shore birds.”


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