Should Pleasanton birdwatchers take down their feeders to keep away from avian flu? – The Mercury News

DEAR JOAN: There has been lots within the media not too long ago about people catching chook flu. I’m involved concerning the attainable dangers to us from feeding birds in our yard.

We have two feeders – a seed feeder and a hummingbird feeder for quick birds. With every, we discover thank-you deposits on the feeders. We haven’t discovered any useless birds. Are these deposits a threat to us?

In your article dated Nov. 18, you counsel eradicating feeders and water sources from the yard to stop the unfold of chook flu.  We take pleasure in watching the birds from our breakfast desk and would miss the pleasure. Is removing the reply for us?

— Paul Christensen, Pleasanton

DEAR PAUL: Avian flu (H5N1) is a extremely contagious virus that spreads from chook to chook, and in uncommon cases, from chook to people. There aren’t any identified instances of human-to-human transmission.

The majority of infections are inside waterfowl and home poultry, however different mammals can contract avian flu. Cats that spend time outdoor, particularly in the event that they kill an contaminated chook, have contracted avian flu, and there may be one reported case of a veterinarian with lengthy publicity to flu-infected cats coming down with the sickness. There have been studies of canines, foxes, cows and different animals turning into unwell with the virus. The virus was detected in dairy cows earlier this yr.

The virus is transmitted by contact with physique fluids from an contaminated chook. Most human publicity has been from chook droppings, both by touching or inhaling dried particles.

Removing feeders and water dishes would reduce your possibilities of getting avian flu and assist cease the unfold amongst birds, however there are different issues you are able to do.

Keep the feeders and birdbaths clear, washing away these thank-you deposits. Always put on protecting gear – gloves and masks – and alter your garments afterward.

If you may have pets, hold them away from feeders and clear up chook droppings beneath. Don’t allow them to deal with useless birds. Report dying or useless birds to the California Department of Food and Agriculture Sick Bird Hotline at 866-922-BIRD (2473).

Giving Tuesday

Giving Tuesday — Dec. 3 — is an efficient time to contemplate gifting cash or provides to your favourite pet rescue group or do some vacation procuring at their charity outlets. Earlier, a reader requested about outlets that give again to animals.

Here are your suggestions (let me know if I’ve missed any):

Berkeley Humane Society Thrift Shop, 2644 Ashby Ave., Berkeley, with a second location at 1122 Solano Ave., Albany; in help of Berkeley Humane

Joybound Thrift Store, 1950 Market St., Concord; in help of Joybound People and Pets in Walnut Creek

Los Gatos Birdwatcher, Kings Court Center, 792 Blossom Hill Road, Los Gatos; donates to numerous animal and wildlife teams