NEWS RELEASE
Dec. 20, 2024
Scottsdale, AZ – The Arizona Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory has detected avian influenza in a free-ranging domestic goose and a Canada goose found by personnel at a Scottsdale park and submitted them for testing by Arizona Game and Fish Department personnel. While strain identification is pending, this is likely the same Eurasian strain of the virus (H5 clade 2.3.4.4) that has been circulating in North America and has recently caused mortalities in other locations across the state.
Avian influenza (AI) viruses are identified by two groups of proteins: hemagglutinin or “H” proteins of which there are 16 and neuraminidase or “N” proteins of which there are nine. AI viruses are further classified by the ability to cause disease in chickens (“high path” or “low path”). Low path AI viruses are often found in waterfowl (ducks, geese, and shorebirds). Occasionally these low path viruses infect a chicken, or other bird where they mutate and become pathogenic.
Generally, wild birds are resistant to high path AI. However, the Eurasian H5N1 strain currently circulating in North America is different and has caused the death of a large number of wild birds.
Bald eagles, great horned owls, Canada geese, snow geese, waterfowl, and raptors have been among the species affected.
The Game and Fish Department will be reaching out to falconers and wildlife rehabilitation facilities about the detection and will advise them of precautions that should be taken to prevent the spread of the disease. Birds with AI are not considered a health risk for people under normal circumstances. The Game and Fish Department is continuing to investigate reports of sick and dead birds, especially those involving raptors, or significant numbers of birds. Reports of sick wild birds can be made by calling 623-236-7201. For reports of sick domestic birds, the public should contact the Arizona Department of Agriculture at 602-542-4293. The public should wear gloves when handling any dead birds. See the Arizona Game and Fish Website at https://www.azgfd.com/Wildlife/Diseases/ for more information.