(Des Moines)– Officials with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources say they’ve been seeing a sharp increase recently in the presence of highly pathogenic avian influenza, or HPAI, in wild birds. After nearly a year without detections in sick or dead birds, they say the state has seen a sharp increase in the number of affected waterfowl, especially in northern Iowa, since early December. DNR officials attribute the spike to the stress of migration and the severe cold.
The DNR says HPAI can also affect animals that consume infected carcasses. Dr. Rachel Ruden, state wildlife veterinarian with the Iowa DNR, says those who find five or more sick or dead flocking birds within a week should report their findings to their local wildlife biologist or state conservation officer. She also cautions against bringing diseased birds to licensed wildlife rehabilitators to limit further spread.
Birds infected with HPAI often twist their heads and necks or swim in tight circles, while others are quiet and seem unable or unaware to fly away when approached.
Dr. Ruden adds there is some “inherent risk to hunting dogs given the nature of their interaction with carcasses”. She says hunters should prevent dogs from interacting with unknown carcasses and avoid feeding them raw meat from harvested birds.
