Avian Influenza and Loons: What Do We Know?
If you’ve been watching or listening to the news, it is hard to miss stories about the current strain of avian influenza, often referred to as bird flu. Just last week, 20 dead birds that washed up on a Long Island beach were confirmed to have died of the virus.
It is accurate to say that the current avian influenza situation is concerning. Current strains are highly infectious in wild bird and poultry populations, and they have been showing up in other species. Strains have been found in polar bears, elephant seals, domestic cats and dolphins. For bird-lovers, staying informed is the best way to help researchers track the disease and to keep yourself safe.
What should you know about the current outbreak?
Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) is caused by influenza type A viruses. It is deadly to both domestic and wild birds, and can infect other species with varying degrees of severity.
In 1996 an HPAI outbreak in east Asia popped up in domestic waterfowl and was identified as an H5N1 virus. HPAI and H5N1 are often used interchangeably to mean the same thing, but HPAI is actually a type of H5N1. The other type is Low Pathogenic Avian Influenza (LPAI). HPAI strains are deadly, while LPAI strains often causes no symptoms or signs of illness.
In 2022, a sick loon was spotted at Chazy Lake. The loon was too sick to save, and was found to have died of HPAI, or avian influenza. Photo by Shane Roberts 2022
Earlier outbreaks of the disease mostly impacted domestic birds with occasional spillover to wild birds and mammals. Impacts to wild bird species were typically contained to one location.
The current HPAI outbreak is believed to have originated in Europe in 2020 and was first detected in the US in November of 2021. The first case reported in New York was in Suffolk County in 2022, and it has since been detected in the Adirondack Park.
HPAI continues to be deadly to domestic poultry, however the impact to wild birds has increased. Migrating birds are carrying the disease from the place where they were infected to secondary locations, which is helping the disease to spread more rapidly between bird and mammal groups. Scavenging birds may also be spreading the disease when they feed on deceased animals.
Here in the Adirondacks, more than 50 birds have tested positive for HPAI as of late January. Statewide, at least 30 bald eagles have been found to be infected with HPAI, and it has also been detected in mammals in the state, including raccoons, squirrels, bobcats, red foxes and skunks.
There have only been two confirmed cases of HPAI in loons in the Adirondacks. In 2022, a loon that died on Chazy Lake was confirmed to have perished of avian flu. In 2024, in Tupper Lake a loon was found to have died of other causes but tested non-negative for the virus. A non-negative result means that while the disease was present, further testing would be required to understand just how progressed it was in this bird.
There is always the chance that loons have been infected by avian influenza and died without being discovered by a person to report the death for testing. However, if HPAI was moving quickly through the population of loons here in the Adirondacks, we suspect our vast network of volunteers, lake monitors, field staff and recreational loon observers would stumble across more sick or dead loons.
Is the virus dangerous for humans?
Human infections are still considered rare and typically happen when an individual has close contact with infected birds. Historically, people who have contracted the disease are those work in close proximity to domestic poultry. Symptoms in humans can range from mild to severe. Handling, cooking or eating poultry meat does not appear to be a risk, and human to human transmission has been extremely rare.
Human to human transmission has been extremely rare, but because exposure to the virus gives it potential to change and become easier to spread between humans, it is important for everyone to take precautions around sick or dead birds. So far, there have been no known cases of avian flu in humans in New York, though as of this writing, there have been 68 cases in humans nationally and one death.
What can you do?
Therese McNamee, a Research Scientist in the Wildlife Health Unit at the NY Department of Wildlife Conservation (DEC) examines a loon that was found deceased. The loon will be tested for H5N1 HPAI and, if the virus is not found, then examined for other causes of death to help researchers understand stressors impacting loons in New York. Photo by Denise Silfee 2024
While we can’t prevent wild birds from migrating and potentially carrying the disease from place to place, there are some steps we can take to help track it and limit opportunities for the disease to spread.
Report any suspected cases of HPAI to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) through their online reporting form. As listed on the form, symptoms of HPAI can include diarrhea, discharge from the nose, coughing and sneezing, and lack of coordination, however many birds show no symptoms before they die. If you come across an area with multiple sick or dead birds, this could be a sign of HPAI infection.
You can call the ACLC office at 518-354-8636 or email rescue@adkloon.org with detailed information about what you see and where the bird is located. A photo or video is always helpful. Do not attempt to pick up or touch sick loons.
If you find a dead loon, complete the DEC reporting form. Someone from DEC will likely contact you to get more information or to collect the dead loon. After you complete the DEC reporting form, you can also call or email the ACLC office and we can help get the bird to DEC. It is advised not to touch dead birds. If you are asked to collect a dead bird, and are comfortable doing so, please wear a face mask, gloves and use multiple trash bags to double-bag the body.
According to Cornell Lab, song birds are at less risk of HPAI than other types of birds and there are currently no directives to take down bird feeders. However, it is recommended that “if you monitor waterfowl or raptor nests, or keep nest boxes, wear gloves, change gloves between exposures, disinfect equipment between nest boxes, wear a mask, change clothes and footwear before visiting any domestic poultry.”
Domestic cats have become infected through contact with dead birds or by drinking water where infected birds have bathed. The best way to protect pet cats is to keep them indoors.
What comes next?
HPAI is a concern for several reasons - for one, its impact on wildlife threatens vulnerable species. It also impacts our human food supply, as we have already seen with the rising cost of eggs because of the virus’s impact on poultry farms. The largest concern is what happens if the virus makes a jump to human to human transmission.
Viruses change - it’s what they do. It’s also what makes them scary. Researchers and public health workers look for ways to contain and slow down the spread of diseases, but it is not always possible to predict how a virus will mutate, or when. We can do our part by limiting our chances for exposure, supporting researchers by reporting cases, and staying informed.
Words by Denise Silfee, ACLC Education & Communications Director