The highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza has continued to kill wild birds and poultry this summer—and the fall migration could bring it back in force.
When an outbreak of highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza spread across North America this spring, researchers hoped for a replay of what happened after a different avian flu variant arrived in the United States in December 2014. Although more than 50 million birds died or were destroyed in a matter of months, costing farmers more than $1.6 billion, the virus had essentially vanished by June 2015.
Even if they don’t, scientists worry the virus may continue to circulate year-round, posing a permanent threat to poultry farming and wild birds, including several endangered species. “Impacts on wild birds may persist for a very, very long time,” Richards says.
Infections began to fall in May, although some species continued to be afflicted. Black vultures, which pick up H5N1 when they scavenge carcasses, are still dying by the hundreds, says Rebecca Poulson, a wildlife disease researcher with the Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study at the University of Georgia. “It’s still hitting those scavengers pretty hard,” she says. And in June, researchers in New England were surprised when a second wave of infections struck seabirds.
Now, all eyes are on the migratory birds, which fan out over a large area as they return to the United States from the north and could spread the virus widely. Researchers with the Canadian Wildlife Service have collected samples from 1000 snow geese on their Arctic breeding grounds, but testing them for H5N1 could take another month or two, says CNS waterfowl biologist Jim Leafloor. U.S. federal and state biologists are already testing live and hunter-killed migratory ducks and geese.
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Ford Cutting Around 3,000 Jobs Most Of Which Are In The USA | CarscoopsFord Cutting Around 3,000 Jobs Most Of Which Are In The USA | Carscoops carscoops ⚠️
Read more »
Pawpaws are America’s hidden edible treasure. Here’s how to pick them.Because of its short harvest season and shelf life, North America's largest native fruit is difficult to distribute and remains largely unfamiliar to most Americans. Researchers want to make it more accessible
Read more »
In Scotland, a bird flu crisis threatens thousands of seabirds“It’s grim.' A mutated strain of avian influenza is killing unprecedented numbers of birds on the Shetland Islands, many of which are already under threat
Read more »
Immigrants send more money home, but it buys less as inflation chips away at remittancesHispanics in North Texas sending remittances to their families in Latin America are feeling the impact of inflation on their pockets — both in the U.S. and in...
Read more »
Ford to Cut 3,000 Jobs, Primarily in North AmericaFord Motor is cutting about 3,000 jobs from its global workforce, a majority of which are in North America.
Read more »
Gucci Opens Boutique in Downtown Detroit.gucci has unveiled a 3,500-square foot-store in downtown Detroit, showcasing the men’s and women’s ready-to-wear and accessories, jewelry, watches and Gucci Decor collections.
Read more »