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H5N1 Information for Wildlife Rehabilitators

In Illinois, avian influenza H5N1 has been detected in poultry, wild birds, an opossum, and zoologic animals. In other states, avian influenza H5N1 has been found in these species and dairy cattle, domestic cats, and other wild mammals. Illinois wildlife rehabilitators need to be aware of the risk of avian influenza H5N1 in the animals they work with and take steps to reduce these risks to their clients and staff.

During this time of heightened avian influenza H5N1 transmission, it is safest to assume any bird could be sick from avian influenza H5N1, and to assess whether these animals can be safely handled and rehabilitated. Some wild birds have been presented to Illinois rehabbers for apparent physical injuries before also testing positive for H5N1, and so the presence of an overt physical injury should not be used solely to support the assumption that they are not also potentially suffering from avian influenza. There have also been numerous detections of avian influenza H5N1 in wild mammals throughout the country. Illinois wildlife rehabilitators are likely to receive wild waterfowl, birds of prey, and other mammals that could be avian influenza H5N1 positive and need to be planning and preparing for this possibility.

Clinical signs of avian influenza H5N1 in animals include:

  • Fever
  • Fatigue
  • Low appetite
  • Reddened or inflamed eyes
  • Discharge from the eyes and nose
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Neurologic symptoms, like tremors, seizures, incoordination, or blindness

** Note that similar to signs of influenza disease in humans, many of these symptoms are relatively non-specific to avian influenza H5N1. Seek professional veterinary advice with any concerns.

Legal Responsibilities in Illinois

Wildlife rehabilitators working with wild birds in Illinois must carry both state and federal permits to rehabilitate wild animals and work within the confines of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. Furthermore, wildlife rehabilitators are tasked with keeping their employees and volunteers safe at work. Rehabilitators are expected to provide personal protective equipment (PPE), staff training, and oversight to provide people a safe working environment with the wildlife.

General Guidance for Wildlife Rehabilitators

  • If higher risk birds (waterfowl and birds of prey) are taken into a facility or are going to be picked up outside the facility, only certain staff should be designated to work with these higher risk animals. These staff should be:
    • Provided and wearing appropriate PPE.
    • Trained in how to use PPE properly.
    • Trained on the symptoms of avian influenza H5N1 in people.
    • Not a person at higher risk of becoming seriously ill with avian influenza H5N1. The individuals at higher risk are those who are 65 years of age or older and those with underlying chronic medical conditions.
  • If a bird or mammal is taken into the facility and later shows signs consistent with avian influenza H5N1, consideration of humane euthanasia should be made. If the animal remains in-patient, clinical samples should be sent for testing. The University of Illinois Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory in Urbana can do this testing for a fee. The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and the Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDOA) should be alerted to any wild animals that have avian influenza H5N1.
  • Centers should record the names and contact information of individuals who bring wild waterfowl or birds of prey to their facility and the names and contact information for staff who have handled those birds at the facility (i.e., a sign-in sheet for who worked with the birds). The local health department will need the names of anyone in contact with avian influenza H5N1 infected animals, as these individuals will need to be confidentially monitored for 10 days by the local health department.
  • Rehabilitation centers should post signage about the signs of H5N1 in people so that employees can self-monitor and communicate any concerns immediately to their local health department.
  • Centers should not encourage members of the public to pick up or present sick/dying waterfowl/birds of prey. Rehabbers should refer members of the public to their local animal control agency to report dead animals for collection. If local animal control is not able to assist in the removal of dead birds from private property, citizens should be referred to resources on how to do so safely.
  • If wild bird die offs occur within the facility’s catchment area, then the facility should stop receiving wild waterfowl or birds of prey until it has been three weeks since the last die off in the catchment area. The catchment area is the area where the facility typically receives animals or birds.

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