Volunteer
Cautions:
Volunteers have expressed concerns about the risks of handling dead
birds, especially with regard to Avian Flu H5N1. There have been
no cases of H5N1 in birds in North America, and no known transmission
of the highly pathogenic strain from wild birds to humans. But if
you are concerned about disease risks (particularly if you are immunocompromised),
please be assured that you can still contribute valuable information
to SEANET even if you don't handle dead birds (photos are especially
helpful!).
Flu Facts and Safety
• The spread of highly pathogenic avian flu (strain H5N1) has been rapid in recent months throughout Asia and parts of Europe and Africa, and some of this spread is likely due to migration of wild birds. It has not yet been detected in North America .
• There have not been any known transmissions of the H5N1virus from wild birds to humans. All cases have been from contact with infected poultry.
• SEANET volunteers can still contribute valuable information without handling dead birds – particularly in the case of an unusually large mortality event on your beach, don't handle dead birds, and contact us (you can always take photos to help document the event).
• Be cautious if you do handle dead birds. If you are immunocompromised don't handle dead birds at all.
• Make sure you use gloves (nitryl, vinyl or regular rubber dishwashing gloves are best) when handling birds for measurements or feather sampling. If you are collecting a very fresh dead specimen for transport to a freezer, use two plastic bags to pick up and enclose the specimen. Surgical-type face masks are another layer of protection that it is advisable to use.
• Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water when you get home (you can also use disinfectant gel in the field).
• Do not visit poultry farms or put yourself in contact with other types of domestic birds (pets, pet stores) after handling dead birds or if your footwear may have come in contact with bird feces.
• Rubbing alcohol and bleach (diluted with water) are effective sterilizing agents against the virus – if you have any concern that clothing or footwear has been contaminated (with feces or blood), wash with one of these agents.
Sources for Avian Flu information
• News and links from the National Wildlife Health Center on Avian Flu - See the Avian Flu bulletin that National Wildlife Health Center put out for more information and links to updates.
• Avian flu fact sheet from Birdnet
• Article on avian flu and wild birds vs. bird trade
• A paper on avian flu in wild birds from the journal Science .
• A paper from sustainable agriculture group GRAIN
If you find a live injured bird, be careful - pick up a bird
only with adequate protection and training (gloves, pillow case for covering
bird)! It is most advisable to contact local wildlife
rehabilitators near you: click
here for contacts or visit state pages.
For marine mammal and sea turtle strandings (live and dead):
click here for contacts
