04/22/2022
PSA βοΈ
More than 28 million domestic birds have died or have been killed due to a highly infectious & deadly avian influenza outbreak in the United States. Hundreds of wild birds have also died, mostly waterfowl, shorebirds, and raptors. The outbreak has impacted 28 states and more than 200 farms or backyard flocks.
Waterfowl and shorebirds may be asymptomatic carriers of this strain. Raptors are particularly sensitive to this strain, as are chickens, turkeys, pheasants, emus, and guinea fowl. Recently, companion parrots were infected and died from the disease in Michigan.
You may wonder if it is safe to keep your wild bird feeders and water baths out at this time. We put together this handy chart for you. If you have domestic outdoor birds or live near someone who does, please pull your feeders until the spring migrations end. Or, if you have indoor birds and cannot practice effective biosecurity, take down feeders.
Wild birds can and do survive fine without feeders.
Here are states/counties with domestic cases: https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=1odhh2u-YnrjWzkqvoMbBSuhU82Z4dzON&usp=sharing
Here is the USDA APHIS site with domestic & wild bird cases:
https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/ourfocus/animalhealth/animal-disease-information/avian/avian-influenza/2022-hpai