H5N1 bird flu detected in wild birds in New York City

Scientists have found several strains of the highly pathogenic bird flu virus in a small number of wild birds in NYC.

A recent study found that a very small number of wild urban birds living in or migrating through New York carry an unexpected hitchhiker: the highly pathogenic avian influenza virus H5N1 (ref). This worrying discovery shows that potentially serious risks to human health are not limited to rural environments or commercial factory farms, as most people think, but also lurk in major cities. This study, the first of its kind, thus highlights the dangers of close contact between animals and humans, as they could ultimately share infections – or even pandemics.

“To my knowledge, this is the first large-scale U.S. study of bird flu in an urban area, and the first with active community involvement,” said senior author, microbiologist and geneticist Christine Marizzi, deputy assistant on the study. professor at the Icahn School of Medicine bee Mount Sinai, said a statement. Dr. Marizzi is also the principal investigator of the Virus hunters from New York City program and the director of community science BioBusan initiative to bring cutting-edge laboratory science to communities of students historically underrepresented in science, using a converted school bus.

Many migratory bird species stop over in New York City during their long journeys, creating the ideal opportunity for different virus strains to meet and mingle.

“Birds are critical for finding out which influenza and other avian viruses are circulating in the New York City area, and also for understanding which viruses could be dangerous to both other birds and humans,” explained Dr. Marizzi out. “And we need more eyes on the ground. That’s why community involvement is crucial.â€

The findings were the result of a citizen science program to monitor the health of urban wild birds. Samples were collected from high school students in New York City who participate as paid interns in both research and communications efforts under the expert mentorship of Dr. Marizzi. As part of their work, they are given all the necessary protective equipment to go into the field and collect samples of bird droppings, which they then help screen for viruses. Additional samples are also donated by local animal welfare centers, especially the Wild Bird Fund, a local wild bird rescue. (Disclosure: I have been a supporter of the Wild Bird Fund for many years.)

To conduct this research, the junior scientist interns, or “Virus Hunters,” collected a total of more than 2,500 swabs and fecal samples from the Wild Bird Fund and from New York’s parks and other natural areas in the Manhattan boroughs. Brooklyn and the Bronx. The samples were then screened in a laboratory at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai for the presence of two avian viruses: avian flu and avian paramyxovirus.

The Virus Hunters identified eight birds positive for avian paramyxovirus using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Two type 1 avian paramyxoviruses (APMV1, also known as Newcastle disease virus) were isolated from wild rock pigeons. Columba livia. These two viral isolates were named, reported to the United States Department of Agriculture, and the complete genome sequences were published in the online data repository GenBank.

APMV1 is a viral pathogen that affects pigeons and is present in most countries. It is a serious disease that can spread quickly and cause a high number of pigeon illnesses and deaths. Other paramyxovirus strains can affect other bird species, especially poultry.

Between January 2022 and November 2023, the Virus Hunters continued their work by collecting 1,927 samples from birds of prey, poultry and waterfowl (Figure 1). They screened these samples specifically for H5N1, also known as bird flu. They discovered the virus in six urban birds representing four species: Canada geese, Branta canadensis; red-tailed hawks, Buteo jamaicensis; peregrine falcons, Falco peregrinus; and domestic chickens, Gallus gallus domesticus. The positive samples came from urban wildlife rehabilitation centers, highlighting the crucial role such centers can play in viral surveillance.

After comparing the samples’ genomic sequences with each other and with other H5N1 viral genomes available in GenBank, the Virus Hunters found that they were a mix of the Eurasian H5N1 2.3.4.4.b clade and local North American bird flu virus genotypes.

Is New York City sitting on a ticking H5N1 pandemic time bomb?

“It is important to note that because we found H5N1 in urban birds, this does not mean the start of a human flu pandemic,” Dr. warned. Marizzi. “We know that H5N1 has been in New York City for about two years and no human cases have been reported.”

Currently, only one person in the United States has been infected with the H5N1 virus so far: a dairy worker in Texas. And yet, despite the rarity of human H5N1 infections, this virus has scientists concerned that as bird flu spreads globally, the risk of it ‘jumping’ the species barrier to humans increases. For this reason, it is important that people know what they can do to protect themselves from infection with H5N1.

“It’s smart to stay alert and stay away from wildlife,” Dr. advised. Marizzi. “This includes preventing your pets from coming into close contact with wildlife.”

Domestic cats are particularly sensitive. Of the 24 cats known to have contracted H5N1 at a single Texas dairy farm in the past month, 12 have died so far.

When dealing with sick or injured birds or other wildlife, it is important to always practice safe practices. These practices include gently placing a towel, blanket, sweater, or pillowcase over the affected animal. This will help keep him calm and aid in safe handling. If you are dealing with a sick or injured bird, it is best to wrap it gently in a towel or hold its wings close to its body and place it in a paper bag or box for transport to the bird sanctuary.

Source:

Philip S. Meade, Pooja Bandawane, Kaitlyn Bushfield, Irene Hoxie, Karla R. Azcona, Daneidy Burgos, Sadia Choudhury, Adama Diaby, Mariama Diallo, Kailani Gaynor, Aaron Huang, Kadiatou Kante, Shehryar N. Khan, William Kim, Paul Kehinde Ajayi, Ericka Roubidoux, Sasha Nelson, Rita McMahon, Randy A Albrecht, Florian Krammer and Christine Marizzi (2024). Detection of clade 2.3.4.4b highly pathogenic H5N1 influenza virus in New York City, Journal of Virology | doi:10.1128/jvi.00626-24

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