[Mnbird] Bird Flu Spreaders

[DONALD GRUSSING Owner]

Even if they are not yet proven to be susceptible, I wonder if it is possible for house sparrows etc. to spread the virus on their feet, feathers etc. if they are feeding where infected waterfowl feed? Infected waterfowl feed on waste grain in farm fields. So do house sparrows and rock doves. Is it not possible that they pick up the virus on their feet and feathers just as humans do on their shoes and clothing? 

Just how is its getting in the buildings? People don't ordinarily walk through waterfowl waste in rural areas (not like golf courses). I believe your research but something seems to be missing. I don't want to make trouble. I just would like to understand. 

Don Grussing 


From: "Tami Vogel" <tvogel at wrcmn.org> 
To: "cdrussin" <cdrussin at centurylink.net>, "mnbird" <mnbird at lists.mnbird.net> 
Sent: Thursday, April 14, 2022 10:34:41 AM 
Subject: Re: Bird Flu Spreaders 

Those species are not, so far, shown to be susceptible to this recent outbreak of HPAI, which involves multiple strains. Nor were they the last time around. 

We are taking swabs for testing of many species not currently listed in an effort to help wildlife hospitals across the nation get a better view of the virus' scope. 

Through this, we've added several new species to the "susceptible list" in the past three weeks, including kingfishers. We're waiting on the required confirmation after a positive at the UMN VDL. 

It is spreading through waterfowl and the susceptible species (list available at APHIS USDA). Since it is high path (the HP of HPAI), all you have to do is walk through duck/goose poop and you are spreading the virus. Once one bird gets the virus it spreads like wildfire. 

I'm happy to answer any questions off channel. Just wanted to correct this misinformation. 




Regards, 

Tami Vogel 
Communications and Development Director 
Wildlife Rehabilitation Center of Minnesota 
[ http://www.wrcmn.org/ | www.wrcmn.org ] 



From: Mnbird <mnbird-bounces at lists.mnbird.net> on behalf of DONALD GRUSSING Owner via Mnbird <mnbird at lists.mnbird.net> 
Sent: Thursday, April 14, 2022, 10:14 AM 
To: mnbird 
Subject: [Mnbird] Bird Flu Spreaders 

Waterfowl are often cited in the media as the birds spreading the bird flu. But I have never seen video of a mallard or a wild goose sauntering into a barn filled with thousands of turkeys or chickens. But I have seen house sparrows, starlings and common pigeons (rock doves) flying into the many openings on such buildings. And virtually every farm yard has sizable populations of at least one of these species present. Poultry farmers would do well to try to control the local populations of these species. Certainly they can get the disease from migrating waterfowl. But these common, unprotected by law, species must be major vectors in bird flu transmission. 

Don Grussing 
Minnetonka 


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