December 23rd 2024.
In December, there was a concerning incident at Baldwin Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area in southern Illinois. State officials reported that several dozen waterbirds, mainly snow geese, had died. And more recently, there have been reports of dead waterfowl in northern Illinois as well. It was revealed that these bird deaths were most likely caused by a highly infectious and deadly strain of bird flu known as HPAI.
At this point, the exact number and types of birds affected in northern Illinois are still unknown. As a precaution, health officials are urging the public to refrain from handling any sick-looking waterfowl or other wild birds. They are also advising against taking these birds to wildlife rehabilitation centers.
One individual who witnessed the aftermath of the bird deaths was Brad Semel, an endangered species recovery specialist for the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. While conducting a bird count in Kenosha County, just over the Illinois border, he came across several frozen geese in a lake and some smaller ponds. At first, he attributed their deaths to a recent cold snap. However, he later learned that these geese were most likely victims of the avian flu. Sadly, similar incidents have been reported in Cook, Lake, and McHenry counties.
According to Semel, the flu initially broke out in southern Illinois a few weeks prior and has been gradually spreading north. It appears to be affecting primarily geese, but there have also been reports of cranes, herons, and eagles being impacted as well. Another birdwatcher, Adam Sell, also noticed a significant number of dead waterfowl during his outing on Wednesday. He observed that the majority were Canada geese, but there were also smaller birds, possibly ducks, among the casualties. Sell promptly reported his findings using eBird, a useful online tool for recording bird sightings.
Unfortunately, more dead geese were recently discovered in DeKalb County. As a result, Oaken Acres Wildlife Center in Sycamore announced that they would no longer accept geese displaying symptoms of the flu. With the increasing number of bird deaths, the Illinois Department of Public Health, Illinois Department of Agriculture, and IDNR released a joint statement on Friday. They stated that it is highly probable that the birds died from the spreading avian influenza and that tests are currently being conducted.
While the risk of contracting the virus from handling dead birds is low, it is still advisable to exercise caution, according to the statement. If anyone finds five or more dead birds on their property, they are encouraged to contact the U.S. Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services or their local IDNR district biologist. It is essential to note that wild aquatic birds, such as ducks, geese, swans, and gulls, can carry and spread the virus without showing any signs of illness. Unfortunately, the virus has also affected poultry flocks and backyard chickens, resulting in the euthanization of over 125 million birds across the country since the outbreak began in 2022.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has reported several outbreaks of the avian flu in poultry and dairy cows. Additionally, there have been 64 confirmed human cases in the United States in 2024, with most occurring in California. The first severe case was recorded in Louisiana on December 13, according to the CDC. If anyone experiences symptoms such as fever, cough, difficulty breathing, headaches, vomiting, or diarrhea after being exposed to sick or dead birds, it is crucial to contact their local health department immediately. Treatment must be started within two days of symptoms appearing for it to be most effective, as advised by the IDPH.
In light of these events, IDPH Director Sameer Vohra urges all Illinoisans to follow the guidance of experts at IDNR. This includes avoiding contact with sick birds and taking any potential exposure seriously. By taking these simple precautions, we can help reduce the spread of this illness and protect both ourselves and our communities.
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