While highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI or AI) began as a disease affecting birds in Minnesota, cases have now been confirmed in bears, skunks, and red foxes in the state.
Erik Hildebrand is a wildlife health supervisor with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources based in Forest Lake.
“We have documented that highly pathogenic avian influenza has affected some mammals in Minnesota,” he said. “The black bear, red fox and skunks tested positive. It is unknown how they contracted it. It is assumed that they were scavenging and consuming a bird or other creature that had the virus. It can be assumed that this virus is throughout the state. Recently there have also been cases There have been reports of dairy cattle and goats in the state testing positive for the virus.”
Hildebrand said the skunks that tested positive for avian influenza were reported because they were “neurological.”
“They acted strangely and were not afraid of people,” he said. “That was worrying. “AI causes both upper respiratory symptoms and neurological symptoms.”
Foxes living near poultry facilities were reported to be staggering and not afraid of people.
“If a person approached him, he wasn’t running away,” he said. “Do not approach sickly-looking wildlife, but talk to your local DNR about next steps.”
A black bear was also reported to have neurological problems.
“I was on the team that collected the bear carcass and took it to the University of Minnesota diagnostic lab for testing,” he said. “It turned out to be positive for AI.”
He said it would be helpful if the person who sees the affected animal can safely take a photo to send to the DNR officer with information about what they observed.
“If it is on the side of the road, the animal could have been hit by a car and that is why it has neurological symptoms,” he said. “It’s a case-by-case situation. “Raccoons are also scavengers and could contract the virus by feeding on infected birds.”
Hildebrand said public reports of sick or dead wildlife help the DNR discover and monitor diseases.
“We need the public’s help,” he said. “We are in the early stages of research with this virus. There are 144 different strains of the AI virus and they can affect different species differently.
“It is an evolving situation. This virus has huge implications for the poultry industry and the economy because Minnesota is one of the top three turkey producers in the country. That’s a huge income for the state. Wildlife is a reservoir for the virus, so it is important that testing is done to see if there is a mutation, which could then give the poultry industry a heads-up to be on the lookout for a new strain of the virus and bolster its biosecurity. “
He said that while dairy cows have tested positive for AI, it is not killing the cows.
“That’s the unknown right now, why the virus doesn’t kill cows, but it does kill poultry,” he said. “It’s good that we have pasteurized milk because pasteurization kills viruses.”
Birds were the first species affected by AI.
Hildebrand said that in 2022, more than 40% of the state’s waterfowl have tested positive.
“Last season, only about 8% of waterfowl tested positive,” he said. “Species can develop immunity. That’s what we’ve seen with waterfowl. In 2022 we had a high prevalence and it was very lethal. Last year the rate was much lower. “The idea is that young people have developed immunities.”
Hildebrand said migratory birds can spread the disease from one state to another.
“We also have swans, ducks and geese that winter in open water in Minnesota year-round,” he said.
He said viruses thrive in cool, humid temperatures in spring and fall.
“When it’s hot and dry, the AI virus decreases significantly,” he said. “Winter also slows down the amount of viruses on the landscape.”
DNR wildlife staff collect samples during waterfowl banding and on ducks and geese taken by hunters.
He said as long as a duck or goose is cooked to 165 degrees or higher, it is safe to eat.
“The CDC and the Minnesota Department of Health have shown that the risk to people from this virus is very low,” he said.
“We are responsible for coordinating with all DNR personnel in the state when they have reports of dead birds,” Hildebrand said. “The DNR protocol is to respond to cases of five or more dead or dying birds in a localized area in a short period of time. In those cases, we would like to send the corpses for diagnostic tests to see what is happening and if a disease is playing a role.”
He said residents in the Park Rapids area should notify local DNR wildlife manager Erik Thorson and he will contact Hildebrand’s department.
“We will provide guidance on how to collect and facilitate the shipment of corpses to the laboratory and will track test results,” he said. “Tests can only be performed on recently killed birds or mammals.”
He said AI primarily affects poultry, aquatic and shorebirds.
“There are some species of corvid birds, like crows or jays, that are scavengers and we have seen the AI virus in those species.”
Routine cleaning of bird feeders once a week with a 10% bleach solution is recommended to help prevent the spread of viruses and bacteria.
“Anyone who has concerns about a cat or dog that may have been in contact with an AI bird should contact their veterinarian,” he said.
More information is available on the avian influenza website through the Minnesota DNR at https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/wildlifedisease/avian-influenza.html or by calling the DNR information center at 888- 646-6367.
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