Although bird flu has infected harbor seals on Marrowstone Island after killing an estimated 1,600-1,700 Caspian terns on Marrowstone and Rat Island, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife has relatively good news to offer the local public.

Katie Haman, wildlife veterinarian with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, noted that, out of an estimated 100-150 harbor seals that hauled out from that area this past summer, only 16 seals died, and after all 16 deaths were tested, only five cases of the H5N1 strain of highly pathogenic avian influenza were confirmed, although a sixth case was suspected.

“Given the numbers of seal pups being weaned and male seals who were fighting, that’s a remarkably low number of deaths regardless,” Haman said.

It’s still the first documented instance of marine mammals dying from bird flu on the West Coast, but Haman reported the last detected case among the harbor seals was Aug. 31, after a peak in July, and while direct transmission of the bird flu from the terns to the seals was documented, she noted that no cases of seal-to-field transmissions have been recorded.

“It’s not like the seals were feeding on the birds,” Haman said. “The seals happened to be hauling out just as the tern colony’s mortality event was occurring literally right in front of them. A common transmission is from fecal to oral, so if the seals waded through the terns’ waste, then groomed themselves, that would do it.”

Haman credited the docents, the park staff and the Friends of Fort Flagler State Park, on the northern tip of Marrowstone Island, with noticing the first bird flu cases.

She specifically touted the role of the docent program, which was started a year prior in response to a combination of human visitors and seagull predators on Rat Island disrupting the Caspian terns, ultimately leading the seagulls to prey upon their eggs and chicks.

“The docents have been on the ground, watching those terns, which enabled them to notice and record the first cases of avian flu in mid-July,” Haman said.

Haman advised any visitors to Fort Flagler, or either Marrowstone or Rat Island, to keep their distance from any animal that appears to be sick, injured or dead.

“While the risk of virus transmission from one species to another is relatively low, it’s still a risk that’s greater than zero,” Haman said. “So don’t touch any sick, injured or dead wildlife, and report them to the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.”Co-op Lifestyle ad

Haman touted the WDFW’s tool for reporting sick, injured or dead wildlife at arcg.is/0nmm9C online. To report a public safety issue, wildlife violation or dangerous animal, she requests that the public call the WDFW’s enforcement officers at 360-902-2936.