One of the most recent signs that highly pathogenic avian flu, which has caused the deaths of tens to millions of birds, is still circulating in wild populations is a dead brown bear cub on Kodiak Island. It infects a wide range of species.
Nate Svoboda (Kodiak wildlife biologist, Alaska Department of Fish and Game) said that the cub carcass was discovered by a local hunter on Nov. 26, and it was the first documented case of brown bear death from the current strain of Avian Influenza.
The department announced Wednesday that the cub had contracted the virus from a Lower 48 laboratory.
It was the second bear death of this nature in the United States. The first American bear to die from the disease was a black bear cub at Glacier Bay National Park. This case followed a Canadian case.
Gerlach warned that there will be more birds and other mammals infected by this strain of influenza. He gave a presentation to the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium’s Local Environmental Observer Network on Wednesday.
Gerlach stated that this strain is more persistent than previous waves which were swiftly passed through bird populations and then died in a matter a few months.
He said that the concern was that the virus is maintaining itself in wild bird populations. He said that state and federal agencies, as well as their partners, will need to continue monitoring the outbreaks and prepare for additional infected wild birds and domestic birds when migratory species arrive next year.
He said, “What we are anticipating is that this may be here until a while.”
The virus has affected many bird species, some of which are rare, around the globe. cranes, in Israel where hundreds of birds were killed in the virus’s first year, and pelicans, along with other seabirds from Peru are two examples of bird populations that have been hard hit.
Many mammals from different species have also been affected by the virus. The virus has been confirmed in red foxes in the United States. There are also cases in Alaska. In the Lower 48, there have been cases of land animals such as skunks, raccoons, and some in Alaska. The disease has also claimed the lives of some marine mammals, including the harbor seals from Maine.
Svoboda stated that the brown bear cub found on Kodiak Island had likely been dead for two to three days and that there was no evidence of any damage. He said that the bear was emaciated. This is unusual for bears in fall when they are usually at their highest weight. Bears have gained fat to prepare for denning.
Both the infected black bears in Glacier Bay National Park, Canada’s Quebec Province, and Forillon National Park were euthanized. State officials stated that they were extremely sick, unable to walk and suffering from seizures. They claimed that the mother had abandoned the Alaska black bear cub and it was blind. According to statements from Canadian and Alaska officials, both bear cubs were suffering from encephalitis (an inflammation of the brain).
Gerlach stated that the black and brown bear cubs probably caught the virus from eating infected birds. Gerlach said there is no evidence that bears can transmit the virus to other bears.
Gerlach stated that there is no evidence to suggest that this virus could infect humans. He stated that this particular strain is not likely to infect humans.
He said that this is good news for Alaskan bird hunters. However, the standard advice regarding sanitation practices such as handwashing, glove-wearing, and avoiding sick birds and animals still applies.
Gerlach stated that about 800 samples of dead animals have been taken from the affected animals since the disease was discovered in Alaska birds last Spring. Nearly 100 cases were confirmed to be positive by lower 48 labs. Although the majority of cases were birds, there were a few mammal cases.
Gerlach stated that this is just a fraction of wild cases. Because the Lower 48 labs are swamped, Alaska officials are restricting their shipment of samples. They are prioritizing commercial poultry over the Alaskan government.
This has meant that many birds have not been tested in Alaska or elsewhere. Residents in the Bering Strait, Yukon-Kuskokwim, and other regions have reported many suspected cases among wild birds. These included swans as well as various types of geese who displayed unusual and distressing behavior that was consistent with influenza infection.
Gerlach stated that wild birds are still healthy, but can spread the virus around. Recent tests by the U.S. Department of Agriculture revealed that a large number of birds in Southcentral Alaska were not only infected but also had the virus.
He said, “They’re still flying about and dropping their droppings all over the place.”
Gerlach stated that any virus spread by birds could persist for a long period of time in the environment. He pointed to research by U.S. Geological Survey wildlife genetist Andy Ramey which found that avian flu viruses can be infectious for up to a year in Alaska’s wetland environments.
He said, “Unfortunately we know that the extreme cold up there preserves the virus very effectively.” “So, we know that it will be a problem.”
The Alaska Beacon originally published this story. It is republished with permission.
