Bird Flu Outbreak in Northern Arizona Claimed the Lives of Three California Condors

The National Park Service reported on Friday, April 7, that five other California condors in the flock had also perished and that three of them had died in northern Arizona from avian flu.

On March 20, a sick female condor believed to have died from lead poisoning was discovered dead, and tests later revealed that it had Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), according to the park service.

Avian Flu Kills 3 California Condors

(Photo : David McNew/Getty Images)

The test results for five further birds haven't been finished, according to the park service, but two more that were later discovered dead also tested positive, as per Phys.org.

According to the park service, the birds are part of a population that travels through Grand Canyon National Park as well as northern Arizona and southern Utah.

Five additional birds that appeared sick were collected by the Peregrine Fund, which oversees the Arizona-Utah group, and sent to a wildlife rescue in Phoenix.

According to officials, four of the birds have been confined after one of them died.

Virus exposure is anticipated to increase during the condors' spring journey northward.

According to the park service, HPAI hasn't been found in any other populations in California or Baja California, Mexico.

With the exception of Hawaii, all U.S. states have reported cases of avian flu in both wild and domestic animals, including chickens.

Although there have been illnesses documented, HPAI is thought to pose little risk to humans.

With a 10-foot (3 meters) wingspan, the California condor is one of the biggest birds in the world.

Because they can fly great distances and live for 60 years, condors' range can encompass a number of states.

Due to lead poisoning from animals eating lead bullets, habitat degradation, and hunting, the population declined to the point of extinction in the 1970s.

In order to safeguard and breed in captivity, wildlife officials kidnapped the 22 last condors in the 1980s and transported them to zoos in San Diego and Los Angeles.

After that, the birds were released into national parks and bird sanctuaries so that they could be watched over.

Also Read: Virgin Births: California Female Condors Are Capable of Reproducing Without a Male Partner

Avoiding Exposure Sources Is The Best Form Of Defense.

People should generally avoid coming into direct touch with wild birds and only observe them from a distance, as per the CDC.

Even if they don't appear ill, wild birds can carry avian influenza A viruses.

Keep your distance from domestic birds (poultry) that appear unwell or are deceased and avoid touching anything that might be covered in feces, mucus, or saliva from wild or domestic birds.

Although human infections with bird flu viruses are uncommon, they can occur if enough virus enters a person's eyes, nose, or mouth or is inhaled.

This can happen when a person touches something with a virus on it and then contacts their mouth, eyes, or nose, or when a virus is in the air (in droplets or possibly dust) and they breathe it in.

Related article: A Glimpse of Hope: A Prolific Pair of Andean Condors in Ecuador