- By Cherise Forbes, Manchester Journal
- Feb 19, 2024 Updated Feb 19, 2024
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MANCHESTER — The Vermont Department of Fish and Wildlife announced on Friday that a deceased bobcat and two red-tailed hawks in Cornwall – less than 90 minutes from Manchester Center – tested positive for highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) virus.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), only some strains of avian influenza are considered “highly pathogenic,” marked by severe disease and high mortality in infected poultry.
The lab results showing HPAI were delivered to the Department of Fish and Wildlife on Thursday, Feb. 15. The Department is now anticipating the results of a second test to confirm the results, which could take “several weeks.”
“Our recommendations to Vermonters are the same as they’ve been since HPAI was first detected in our state – mainly, to avoid direct contact with wild birds,” said David Sausville, Wildlife Management Program Manager with the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department. “Observe wild birds only from a distance and practice good hygiene around domestic fowl. Practice good biosecurity by keeping domestic fowl and other pets away from areas where wild birds gather, like bird feeding stations or duck ponds.”
Though HPAI has been circulating in the state since 2022, the infected bobcat is the first case of HPAI virus in a mammal from Vermont. Though transmission to mammals is uncommon according to the Department of Fish and Wildlife, other cases have also been reported in multiple states including New York and Connecticut.
Within Vermont, HPAI has been detected in both wild and domestic birds over the past two years. As of Monday, Feb. 19 the Department of Fish and Wildlife reported 72 wild birds infected with HPAI in Vermont on its website. Previously infected birds include red tailed hawks like the two found in Cornwall, Canada geese, wood ducks, mallards, black ducks, turkey vultures, and bald eagles. Two outbreaks among domestic fowl have occurred in Caledonia and Lamoille counties, with both flocks being depopulated.
Game Warden Kyle Isherwood has served the towns of Manchester, Dorset, Peru, Winhall, Stratton, Weston, Landgrove, Londonderry, Jamaica, Andover, Windham and Townshend for seven years. During this time, Isherwood says that he has submitted avian influenza cases for testing, though none have come back positive.
Even with the first mammal fatality in Vermont, Isherwood said that there is no cause for alarm.
“Birds have wings and can fly anywhere they want, so I don’t think that this positive case out of Addison County changes much,” he said. “As long as everyone takes some simple precautions, there is a low chance of this affecting humans.”
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