Chickens from Animal Place, an animal rescue and shelter for farm animals in Grass Valley, walk outside in the rain at the Santa Cruz Animal Shelter on Nov. 18. (William Duncan — Santa Cruz Sentinel)
SANTA CRUZ – Flu season has arrived in Santa Cruz County, but this week health officials have found themselves alerting the public to the arrival of another virus that is less common in the region.
The county’s Health Services Agency on Wednesday announced that it had identified three wild birds in Santa Cruz County that tested positive for avian influenza, commonly known as the “bird flu.”
While this particular strain of the virus poses “minimal risk to humans” according to a county release, health officials are warning residents about the hazards of handling or coming into close contact with diseased or dead birds out of an abundance of caution.
“It is best practice to never touch or handle birds who are deceased or exhibit signs of distress or illness,” Santa Cruz County Health Officer Gail Newel is quoted in the release. “While severe cases of bird flu are possible in humans, we rarely see symptoms develop beyond those of the common cold.”
According to the release, the bird flu virus is transmitted through saliva droplets and feces and occurs most commonly in wild migratory waterfowl and birds of prey. Infected birds may show signs of confusion, lack of coordination, diarrhea, coughing and sneezing.
Officials advise that sick or dead birds should be reported to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife through the mortality reporting form at wildlife.ca.gov. Residents can also call the agency at 707-944-5531 or email askbdr@wildlife.ca.gov.
While human symptoms are rare, they may include fever, cough, sore throat, shortness of breath, conjunctivitis, headaches, runny or stuffy nose, muscle or body aches and diarrhea. County health officials say individuals that develop symptoms within 10 days of exposure to an infected animal should call their health care provider.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also notes on its website that human infections are rare, but people working in higher risk professions such as wildlife biologists, animal welfare and rescue workers, animal control workers, turkey farm workers and hatcheries should practice caution.
Protective measures include increased use of personal protective equipment when in direct contact with potentially infected birds, frequent use of good hand hygiene, clean and disinfect boots, change clothes after potential exposure and avoid touching eyes, mouth or nose.
According to the CDC, domestic poultry can be infected with two classifications of avian influenza: highly pathogenic, which spreads extremely quickly, and low pathogenic, which is less severe. The Sentinel did not receive clarification on which strain was detected in Santa Cruz before print deadline.
However, the classifications are primarily meant for poultry, as both pathogens have led to human infection with a range of symptoms from mild to severe.
Originally published at Pk Hattis