By ANN POTEMPA
Anchorage Daily News
January 21, 2006
Government agencies will study thousands of birds throughout Alaska this year in search of avian influenza, particularly the deadly H5N1 strain that's been transmitted to people, state and federal officials said Thursday.
According to the World Health Organization, 148 cases of H5N1 influenza in people have been reported from six Asian and European countries since December 2003, resulting in 79 deaths.
Rick Kearney, the wildlife program coordinator for the U.S. Geological Survey, spoke about bird flu alongside state health leaders Thursday at a downtown luncheon for Commonwealth North, a local civic group.
While surveillance for flu viruses in birds is not new in Alaska, a partnership of state and federal agencies will step up efforts this year because Alaska is a place where several migratory pathways meet. "Alaska could be that place where the virus arrives in North America," Kearney said. (Photo credit U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service via The Associated Press)
DNR investigates bird deaths
By RALPH ANSAMI
Globe News Editor
Friday, January 20, 2006
Department of Natural Resources biologists believe salmonella may be responsible for dead finches and pine siskins in area northern Wisconsin counties.Dead birds near feeders have been reported from Iron County south to Marinette County.
"Almost everyone in our area is reporting at least one dead bird at the feeders, and some have seven or eight dead birds," said Bruce Bacon, wildlife biologist at the Wisconsin DNR's Mercer office.
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