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Avian Influenza

All articles tagged with #avian influenza

From Bird Flu to Melting Sea Stars: Ten Mass Animal Die-Offs That Defied Explanation
science3 days ago

From Bird Flu to Melting Sea Stars: Ten Mass Animal Die-Offs That Defied Explanation

A recent compilation highlights ten historical and ongoing mass animal die-offs that resembled apocalyptic events but stemmed from specific, often unexpected causes. Key examples include the 2010 Beebe, Arkansas incident where fireworks caused thousands of blackbirds to crash, the 2014-2016 'Blob' marine heatwave that starved four million murres, and the 2015 saiga antelope collapse in Kazakhstan triggered by a bacterial outbreak. Other notable events include the 2013 sea star wasting disease, the 2016 Chilean red tide, and the ongoing H5N1 avian influenza panzootic. While some events were linked to toxins, disease, or weather anomalies, others remain partially mysterious, illustrating the complex vulnerabilities of global wildlife populations.

First H5 Bird Flu Fatality Hits Endangered Australian Sea Lion in South Australia
science25 days ago

First H5 Bird Flu Fatality Hits Endangered Australian Sea Lion in South Australia

South Australia reports the first death of an endangered Australian sea lion from H5 bird flu, at Seal Bay on Kangaroo Island. With around 10,000–12,000 remaining (about 85% in SA), scientists warn the virus could have severe conservation impacts unless a vaccine becomes available. Authorities are monitoring colonies and weighing experimental vaccination trials as concerns grow about the potential spread and losses seen in other regions.

Mass Cull, Soaring Costs: A Connecticut Poultry Farm's Bird Flu Nightmare
business3 months ago

Mass Cull, Soaring Costs: A Connecticut Poultry Farm's Bird Flu Nightmare

A Connecticut poultry farmer, Joshua Beebe of Tardif Poultry Farm, endured the depopulation of 5,000 birds after a Salmonella finding during a wave of avian influenza concerns, triggering a lengthy quarantine, canceled orders, and around $50,000 in repopulation costs, with little USDA indemnity and ongoing biosecurity measures as he rebuilds while facing wild-bird transmission risks and climate-influenced migration.

H5N1 hits Western Australia’s offshore seabirds, triggering wildlife health alert
science3 months ago

H5N1 hits Western Australia’s offshore seabirds, triggering wildlife health alert

Two sick brown skua and giant petrel found on Western Australia’s southern coast tested positive for H5N1 avian influenza and died, marking Australia’s first detections and prompting heightened surveillance amid fears of a broader wildlife outbreak. Experts say there’s no confirmed spread yet, but seabirds could transport the virus as they forage offshore. People should avoid handling dead or sick birds and report sightings via the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline.

Providence Bird Market Euthanizes 445 Birds After Avian Flu Detected
local3 months ago

Providence Bird Market Euthanizes 445 Birds After Avian Flu Detected

Rhode Island health officials euthanized 445 asymptomatic birds at Antonelli Poultry in Providence after avian influenza was detected during routine testing. The market remains closed five days after disposal and sanitization, and staff are being monitored for 10 days. Authorities also issued guidance on food-safety and precautions to prevent avian flu exposure.

Rhode Island Poultry Market Euthanizes 445 Birds After H5N1 Hit
health3 months ago

Rhode Island Poultry Market Euthanizes 445 Birds After H5N1 Hit

Rhode Island's Antonelli Poultry in Providence tested positive for H5N1 avian influenza during USDA routine testing, prompting humane euthanization of about 445 asymptomatic birds and a five-day market closure after disposal and sanitization; the birds were from out-of-state dealers, staff are to be monitored for 10 days, and overall human risk is low. Guidance includes cooking poultry to 165°F and safe disposal for affected products; this is RI's first domestic avian influenza case in 2026, with RIDOH and DEM coordinating the response.

Backyard flock owners face knowledge gaps as bird-flu risk rises
public-health4 months ago

Backyard flock owners face knowledge gaps as bird-flu risk rises

A CDC MMWR report (July–December 2025) surveyed 638 U.S. backyard flock owners and found that while most have heard of avian influenza, many cannot identify all signs in birds or humans. About 16% know all human symptoms and roughly one-third know all bird signs; 77% view their personal risk as low, though 90% know recommended precautions. Willingness to use PPE increases with higher knowledge (gloves, boots, and respirators are common; goggles and coveralls less so). Flocks are often small with potential wild-bird access, raising exposure risk. Since 2024, 71 human H5 cases have been reported in the U.S., including three among backyard-flock owners (two deaths). The findings support targeted education to help owners protect themselves, their flocks, and families from avian influenza.

Avian Flu Rise, Chef Valenti’s Death, and a Real-Estate Boom Define the UWS Week
news5 months ago

Avian Flu Rise, Chef Valenti’s Death, and a Real-Estate Boom Define the UWS Week

The Upper West Side is abuzz with NYC’s rise in avian influenza, the death of renowned local chef Tom Valenti, continued activism by Arlene Geiger, and a strong start to April real estate with six multi-million-dollar closings highlighted by an $8.5 million Beresford co-op sale, along with notes on outdoor dining openings and other local happenings.

Central California records new HPAI H5N1 case in Morro Bay sea lion
science6 months ago

Central California records new HPAI H5N1 case in Morro Bay sea lion

A deadly avian influenza strain (HPAI H5N1) has been found in a dead California sea lion along Morro Strand State Beach in Morro Bay, San Luis Obispo County—the first reported case in this county and the third sea lion overall to contract the virus since the outbreak began. Lab confirmation came March 25 after a March 16 sample; previously detections occurred in San Mateo County and at Point Reyes National Seashore, part of a broader Bay Area seabird mortality event. Officials say human risk remains low and advise against approaching sick wildlife, reporting sightings to NOAA. The outbreak has affected multiple marine mammals and seabirds along California’s coast.

Bayville Faces Alarming Bird Die-Off Amid Avian Flu Fears
local6 months ago

Bayville Faces Alarming Bird Die-Off Amid Avian Flu Fears

Bayville residents report a growing number of dead birds on the beach, raising fears of an avian flu outbreak. The Department of Environmental Conservation says avian flu is widespread on Long Island and cannot retrieve every carcass. Public guidance emphasizes avoiding contact with dead birds and using gloves, masks, triple-bagging, and sanitation for disposal, as locals call for testing and a coordinated response.

Coast avian flu outbreak expands to seals and beaches along California
science6 months ago

Coast avian flu outbreak expands to seals and beaches along California

An avian influenza outbreak (HPAI H5N1) linked to Año Nuevo State Park has spread to other marine mammals and seabirds along California’s coast, with nine more elephant seals testing positive plus a California sea lion and a southern sea otter. Public risk remains very low, but authorities urge people and pets to avoid contact with sick or dead wildlife and report sightings as researchers monitor the situation. The outbreak has caused partial park closures and paused rescue operations, while scientists continue to study transmission and mortality among seals, otters, and birds across the region.

Bird Flu Reaches California’s Northern Elephant Seals
environment7 months ago

Bird Flu Reaches California’s Northern Elephant Seals

Seven newly weaned northern elephant seal pups at Año Nuevo in California tested positive for highly pathogenic avian influenza (H5N1), marking the first confirmed cases in the state’s elephant seals amid a global surge. Public risk remains low, but authorities are intensifying surveillance, closing seal-viewing areas, and coordinating across agencies to track spread and origins. The outbreak echoes 2023’s severe die-off among southern elephant seals in Argentina and underscores how climate change and migratory shifts can facilitate cross-species transmission, with potential long-term impacts on marine mammal populations and broader ecosystems.

Dane County backyard flock diagnosed with bird flu prompts quarantine
local7 months ago

Dane County backyard flock diagnosed with bird flu prompts quarantine

A case of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 was identified in a Dane County backyard poultry flock. The premises were quarantined and the birds depopulated to prevent spread; USDA animal health officials and the Wisconsin DATCP are coordinating the response. Poultry owners are urged to enhance biosecurity and monitor flocks, reporting signs of illness as prompted. The HPAI H5N1 virus continues to circulate in wild and domestic birds across North America since 2021.

Bird Flu Kills Dozens of Seal Pups, Closes Seal-Viewing at Año Nuevo
science7 months ago

Bird Flu Kills Dozens of Seal Pups, Closes Seal-Viewing at Año Nuevo

An outbreak of the highly pathogenic avian influenza HPAI H5N1 has killed about 30 elephant seal pups at Año Nuevo State Park in California, prompting the temporary closure of seal-viewing areas through the end of March. Researchers from UC Davis and UC Santa Cruz are intensifying monitoring of the park’s roughly 5,000-seal breeding colony to understand transmission and outcomes, with the virus's source and spread still unknown as wildlife agencies coordinate responses.