Q&A: Bird Flu - Ongoing Threat of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in Alaska and North America Active

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Avian influenza viruses occur naturally in wild birds such as ducks, geese, and shorebirds around the world. Not all AI virus are harmful. HPAI is a specific type of bird flu that causes serious disease and death in domestic poultry but can also be harmful to wild birds. In 2014, wild birds introduced HPAI viruses from East Asia to North America via Alaska. This introduction resulted in an outbreak that continued into 2016 and resulted in the death or destruction of approximately 50 million domestic birds in the U.S., and an unknown number of wild birds, with economic losses estimated to total approximately $3 billion U.S. dollars. In December 2021, HPAI was again detected in wild birds in North America. Though the current outbreak of HPAI does not pose a significant risk to human health, it is causing greater mortality in wild birds than previous outbreaks of HPAI in North America.

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Migratory flyways and intercontinental movements of waterfowl have facilitated the dispersal of HPAI viruses during the current outbreak. More than 2 million birds from 94 species migrate to Alaska from Asia each spring. Extensive research and surveillance for AI viruses by USGS since 2006 provide us with a good understanding of common wild bird hosts in North America. Collaborative ongoing research is helping us to better understand how this outbreak is different from those previous and how to be better informed and prepared for possible future outbreaks.

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In this Q & A, Dr. Andy Ramey, a Research Wildlife Geneticist and Director of the Molecular Ecology Laboratory at the USGS Alaska Science Center, talks about research on avian influenza viruses. He explains how HPAI affects wild and domestic birds, potential risk for hunters, the importance of science to help understand the risks of this global disease and provides information and resources that can help you stay informed.

Q. How is the current outbreak of HPAI different from those prior?

A. The current outbreak of HPAI is causing disease, that is often fatal, for considerable numbers of wild and domestic birds in North America; this is different than previous outbreaks in the U.S. and Canada. Prior to 2014, HPAI was exclusively a poultry disease in North America. That is, only non-harmful types of AI had been detected in wild birds in North America and HPAI had only affected domestic poultry operations in the U.S. and Canada. In 2014-2016, HPAI was first witnessed in wild birds in North America, but clinical signs of disease were observed in relatively few wild birds. In contrast, the domestic poultry industry in the U.S. and Canada experienced considerable losses during this time.  With the current outbreak in North America, that began in December 2021, large numbers of wild and domestic birds have exhibited severe, and often fatal, disease. The current outbreak is also much larger in geographic scope than previous outbreaks, affecting birds throughout most U.S. states and Canadian provinces. The number of wild bird species affected is also far greater than previously observed in North America.

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Q. Is there a risk to public health from HPAI? What should people do if they see a sick or dead wild bird?

A. The Centers for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC) is the lead agency pertaining to HPAI and human health. Although the CDC currently considers the HPAI viruses causing the ongoing outbreak in North America to pose a low risk to public health, anyone with potential work or recreational exposures to HPAI-affected wild bird should consult the CDC website for the latest guidance.

People observing birds displaying signs of HPAI infection (a lack of coordination, stumbling, inability to stand upright, inability to fly, swimming in circles, a twisted neck, or paralysis) should alert their local federal or state wildlife management office.  Here in Alaska, the public should call the USFWS Alaska Sick/Dead Bird Hotline at 1-866-527-3358. Alaska Bird FAQ: if it's sick, abandoned, injured or dead

Q. How is the USGS contributing to the outbreak response?

A. The USGS is contributing in numerous ways to the interagency response to the ongoing outbreak of HPAI in North America. Prior to the start of the outbreak, the USGS organized a webinar series to facilitate interagency communication, coordination, and planning for outbreak response efforts. Upon the start of the outbreak in North America, various USGS offices have supported wild bird sampling efforts ultimately leading to HPAI detections at areas across the U.S. The USGS National Wildlife Health Center has provided critically important diagnostic support during the ongoing outbreak, facilitating a better understanding of the species and geographic distribution of HPAI across the U.S. Additionally, USGS staff from across the country continue to provide research, support services, and tools.  These include genetic sequencing of AI viruses and modeling of wild bird movements relative to AI infection, which facilitate a better understanding of the spread of HPAI through space and time. 

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Q: How can the public stay informed and learn more about bird flu in Alaska or other states in the U.S.?

A. There are many publicly available websites that the public may use to stay apprised of the latest detections of HPAI in Alaska and throughout the U.S. Links to some of these websites are provided below.