Jan. 30, 2025: Bird Flu

Requesting journalist: Poppy Lasher

Respondent name and position: Laura A. Norris, Director of the Health Center

Response:

Are you aware if Whitman is currently taking any safety measures regarding the duck ponds on campus? With the very recent news of a Bird Flu outbreak on a duck farm in California (and existing knowledge that the virus can be spread between ducks), is the duck population at Whitman a topic of concern?

Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 has been circulating globally in wild birds for several years; bird flu occurs naturally among wild acquatic birds, and has caused sporadic infections and outbreaks in wild mammals and dairy cattle. According to the CDC, recent outbreaks have largely occurred in flocks of domesticated birds and managed herds of cows, where animals are frequently put in close quarters which increases the risk of disease. In contrast, the duck population that visits Lakum Dukum is a wild bird population. Wild ducks often do not show evidence of disease, and the college does not manage wild populations of birds or animals. For more information about the H5N1situation, please feel free to contact the WW Department of Community Health; see also the CDC and USDA information: https://www.cdc.gov/bird-flu/situation-summary/wildbirds.html

Are the individuals who maintain Lakum Duckum aware of the risk of Bird Flu?

Our facilities and grounds crew are aware and their instructions are to avoid handling any ill or dead animals they encounter, and notify Walla Walla Community Health of any unusual deaths, as that is the most obvious evidence of infection. 

Are there any measures specific to Bird Flu that the health center plans to implement, or already implements?

As with all infectious diseases that occur in the US population, we are monitoring the situation with our partners in the community, led by the Walla Walla Community Health Department and including area schools, health facilities, and care organizations.  Our infectious disease guidelines apply to all respiratory illnesses and advise students, staff and faculty to use infection control measures if they develop any fever or respiratory symptoms. Unusual cases or an abrupt increase in particular symptoms will result in immediate consultation with our county, state, and national authorities to implement a plan for any special outbreaks. Individuals are advised to avoid touching ill or dead animals on campus, and notify the Health Center, Facilities or Security in the event they come across one.