Bird Flu

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As a wildlife group that works primarily with birds, Liberty Wildlife has long followed stringent practices to discourage the spread of disease. As with any medical facility, frequent sterilization of all surfaces and supplies is the backbone of our daily routine. Workers wear rubber gloves at all times, and animals with infectious diseases are isolated from the other animals and treated with extreme care. The use of respiration masks is encouraged for volunteers who are cleaning outside enclosures. Footbaths are located at all exits and entrances, so that it is easier to step into one than to avoid it. Wild animals and their supplies are kept completely separate from resident animals used for education purposes. These rules and regulations are carefully drilled into all new volunteers and so become automatic parts of working at Liberty. This keeps our animals and our workforce healthy. And, when a nasty virus rolls around, we are already doing a lot to prevent it from happening at Liberty. Below are some quotes from the Web site of the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention):

“Humans can become infected with influenza types A, B and C virus. Several subtypes of influenza A are circulating now among people.”

“Wild birds are the natural host for all known subtypes of influenza A virus. Generally, wild birds don’t become sick even when infected…however, domestic birds can become very sick and die from avian influenza, and some avian influenza A viruses cause disease and death in wild birds as well.”

“In general, direct human infection with avian influenza viruses occurs very infrequently, and has been associated with direct contact (e.g., touching) infected sick or dead infected birds (domestic poultry).”

“Certain birds, particularly waterbirds, act as hosts for influenza viruses by carrying it in their intestines and shedding it. Infected birds shed virus in saliva, nasal secretions, and feces. Fecal to oral transmission is the most common mode of spread between birds.”

“Domesticated birds may become infected through direct contact with infected waterfowl or other infected poultry or through contact with surfaces (dirt or cages) or materials, (water, feed) that have been contaminated with the virus. People, vehicles and other inanimate objects such as cages can be vectors in a spread from one farm to another.”

“It is believed that most cases of avian influenza infection in humans have resulted from contact with infected poultry or contaminated surfaces.”

At this time there have been no cases of the deadly H5N1 avian flu detected in the United States. Liberty staff and volunteers are knowledgeable and skilled in dealing with infectious animal diseases. There are always more stringent practices that can be initiated if needed. For now it seems we can let the scientific community and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention worry about bird flu.