Manhattan Beach is known for a lot of things, but… avian flu? The city now has the dubious distinction of being the first site in L.A. County where avian flu has been detected in 2024.
A Western gull found in Manhattan Beach on January 27 was “wobbly and had head tremors,” according to the L.A. County Department of Public Health. That bird has now been confirmed as having avian flu.
Avian flu, while deeply concerning for the health of birds, especially domestic poultry and potentially other animals, is considered to be of low risk to humans. The people who had contact with the gull in Manhattan Beach have not reported any illness.
Nevertheless, public health officials say it is important to be aware of avian flu and what it can mean for bird populations. Read on for information complied from county, state, and national health and wildlife officials:
Avian Flu and its Risks
Avian
influenza, or bird flu, is a viral infectious
disease of birds caused by type A influenza viruses. The current strain of H5N1 that is circulating in the
U.S. and around the world has been the cause of illness and
death in a greater variety of wild bird species than in
previous AI outbreaks. The virus is also of
concern for domestic poultry given that it is highly contagious
and may cause significant illness and death in backyard
and commercial flocks.
The virus
spreads through direct bird-to-bird contact or
indirectly when the virus is on clothing, footwear,
vehicles, rodents, insects, feed, water, feathers, etc. Birds release or shed the virus in bodily fluids such as
respiratory droplets, mucus, saliva, and feces.
The HPAI (Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza) H5N1 strain has
been reported to affect other types of animals including
those that share environments with infected birds or
that scavenge or eat infected birds. Globally and
in the U.S., other types of animals found to have HPAI
include skunks, foxes, mountain lions, bears, raccoons,
opossums, bobcats, a coyote, harbor seals, a river otter, and a bottlenose
dolphin. A number of these animals were found dead
in groups.
Domestic pets
have also been found to be positive for HPAI and can die
from the infection. To
prevent infection, pets should not have contact
with wildlife including wild birds - especially dead birds - and they should not eat raw or uncooked
poultry.
The Manhattan Beach finding marks the fourth case of avian flu spotted in L.A. County over the winter. The other cases include:
A raven with neurologic and respiratory signs found in Eagle Rock in November 2023;
A Western Gull found with neurologic signs in El Segundo in November 2023;
A Canada Goose found shaking and apparently in pain, in Alhambra in December 2023.
These four cases are are in addition to the 30 reported between October 2022 and April 2023.
So far there have been no reports of any mammals, including humans, testing positive for HPAI H5N1 in L.A. County. The risk of transmission of HPAI H5N1 to humans is considered low.
How Can We Prevent the Spread of Avian Flu?
To prevent the spread of avian flu, residents are urged to do the following:
-
Take down bird feeders and bird baths to
reduce interactions between wild birds
and domestic birds and to reduce
contamination of the ground/environment
with wild bird droppings;
-
Avoid contact with wild birds, even if
they don't look sick;
-
Avoid surfaces that may be contaminated
with saliva or feces from wild or
domestic birds;
-
Keep dogs, cats and other pets away from
wild birds;
-
Do not feed raw or uncooked poultry to
pets;
-
Do not handle sick or injured birds.
In wild birds, symptoms can include neurological signs such as a lack of coordination,
swimming in circles, or appearing weak or "wobbly." In chickens and other fowl, symptoms can include lack of energy or appetite; swelling of the head, comb, eyelid, wattles
and hocks; discoloration of wattles, combs and legs; nasal discharge; coughing or sneezing; diarrhea; or other neurological signs.
If you see a sick, injured, or dead bird, first contact
Manhattan Beach Animal Control or click
here for the nearest agency. Then complete this
reporting form
and email it to
[email protected]
or visit this
public online reporting
portal.
