60 birds die from bird flu at local animal rescue

Staff and volunteers at a lower Hudson Valley farm animal rescue are being notified by the Westchester County Health Department to monitor for any symptoms of bird flu.

According to health officials, approximately 60 birds have died or were recently euthanized at the facility, Animal Nation, a farm rescue and animal sanctuary in South Salem. On its website, Animal Nation says it is a “non-profit Wildlife Rescue & Rehabilitation Facility, Farm Animal Rescue & Sanctuary, and Domestic Animal Rescue & Adoption Center.”

“The organization had initiated many different measures to protect the farm, but likely the farmyard fowl have been exposed from wildlife. Animal Nation’s Board of Directors acted swiftly once signs arose,” Animal Nation organizers posted in a statement. The facility will be on strict quarantine for at least 120 days with no animal transport in or out of the facility. Only essential staff will be on site caring for the animals.

On its website, Animal Nation profiles the many rescues at the facility, including chickens, turkeys, emu, and 60 Peking Ducks that came “from all different situations — neglect & abuse cases, being dumped outside in random ponds, saved from meat markets, hatched in classrooms with no plans” afterwards.

The facility has been closed to the public since the fall, according to health officials, but staff members and volunteers are now being asked to seek treatment if any illnesses develop.

“The best way we can all be protected is to avoid contact with any sick or dying animals. While there is no risk to the public at this time, it’s important that we all remain vigilant,” Health Commissioner Dr. Sherlita Amler said. “The Health Department is closely monitoring the situation and supporting those who may have been exposed.”

A common symptoms of avian influenza in humans is red, itchy eyes. Other symptoms include:

• Fever or feeling feverish

• Cough

• Sore throat

• Runny or stuffy nose

• Muscle or body aches

• Headaches

• Fatigue

Less common symptoms include diarrhea, nausea, or vomiting.

“Though less common, avian influenza can also cause severe disease including high fever, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, altered mental status, and/or seizures. If you experience these symptoms, get medical attention right away,” according to the New York State Department of Health.

To date, there have been no human cases of avian influenza and no detections in cattle in New York.

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Limit direct contact with dead wildlife, and keep children and pets away. To dispose of a dead bird safely:

• Wear disposable gloves, a mask, and eye protection, like safety glasses or goggles.

• Avoid direct contact with the carcass or carcass fluids by using a shovel or a garbage bag to pick up the bird.

• Carcasses should be triple bagged (garbage or contractor bags) and placed in an outdoor trash receptacle.

• Remove and throw away your gloves. Wash your hands with soap and water immediately after removing gloves.

• Change your clothes and wash them after disposing of the bird.

• If you used a shovel, clean it with hot, soapy water and disinfect it with diluted bleach (1/3 cup bleach added to a gallon of water). 

For more information about the risk of HPAI to humans, visit the NYS Department of Healthwebsite. 

If you encounter a live, sick bird or mammal, contact your Regional DEC office or a local wildlife rehabilitator for guidance. There is no treatment for HPAI in birds, so the only option for wildlife rehabilitators is humane euthanasia. Call ahead to make sure there is a wildlife rehabilitator or veterinarian willing to accept and euthanize the animal, as accepting these animals may put other animals in the facility at risk. Do NOT handle, transport or euthanize any sick birds or other wildlife yourself.

Additional resources

Information on Avian Influenza from Cornell: https://cwhl.vet.cornell.edu/disease/avian-influenza

What to look for: https://www.aphis.usda.gov/livestock-poultry-disease/avian/avian-influenza

Updated Recent detections: https://www.aphis.usda.gov/livestock-poultry-disease/avian/avian-influenza/hpai-detections + https://www.aphis.usda.gov/livestock-poultry-disease/avian/avian-influenza/hpai-detections/commercial-backyard-flocks

NYS Department of Health: https://www.health.ny.gov/diseases/communicable/influenza/avian/

NYS DEC: https://dec.ny.gov/nature/wildlife-health/animal-diseases

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