SARASOTA COUNTY (WSNN) – Thousands of birds are dying across the state, and it’s due to the bird flu. Suncoast vets are saying it’s not something to take lightly.
We’ve seen the bird flu before, but Florida veterinarians are saying the newest H5N1 strain of avian influenza is different.
“It’s intimidating, to say the least, because we’ve never seen this virus has never behaved in this way before,” Save Our Seabirds Medical Director Dr. Maria Passarelli said.
She says this strain is mainly affecting waterfowl birds – specifically the lesser scaup duck populations.
“The birds are getting sick because they are either coming to contact with these birds on the water, or fecal matter or eating infected birds,” Dr. Passarelli said.
FWC Wildlife Vet Rebecca Hardman says the biggest mortality events of the ducks are happening in Brevard County. But it’s not just affecting ducks, vultures and bald eagles are dying too.
“It’s very striking to see so many carcasses in one area,” Hardman said.
“The implications for wildlife are concerning,” Passarelli said. “They’re all spreading this virus very rapidly, they all get sick very fast, they all die very fast.”
Hardman suspects more than a thousand of the lesser scaups and the vultures have dies from the bird flu. And more than 20 bald eagles have died across the state.
“It’s less certain if it’s actually moving or if we’re just finally detecting it in those counties,” Hardman said.
There have been no reports in Sarasota County at this time, but there have been cases in Manatee and Charlotte counties.
“It’s close enough to home and its within the range of Save Our Seabirds rescue efforts,” Dr. Passarelli said. “That we are taking some significant precautions.”
So, Save Our Sea Birds vets are taking precautions when they receive a call about a sick or injured bird.
“We’re triaging each case, so we’re asking for pictures, video, and we’re tying to look for any concerning signs that might be indicative of avian influenza,” Dr. Passarelli said.
The hospital has a designated isolation area for if they get a sick bird. Now, is this concerning for us?
“It is not considered to be a significant impact on humans but it technically can be,” Dr. Passarelli said.
There is one case out of Colorado where the bird flu passed to a human -and it was a man working on poultry farm.
Hardman says if you do get exposed and feel mild-flu-like symptoms, tell your health care provider because says you won’t be tested unless you tell your doctor.
