The Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources is receiving increasing reports of sick or dead wild birds on the Eastern Shore and isolated instances in the eastern half of the state.
Preliminary testing indicates that the likely cause in several cases was H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza, more commonly known as bird flu.
Most disease activity in Virginia is currently centered around the Eastern Shore and other coastal regions. However, sporadic cases may be seen throughout the state.
This virus has been present in North America since late 2021 causing sporadic mortality events across the continent.
Avian influenza viruses may be transmitted to people.
Nearly all human cases to date have been in people with extensive exposure to infected agricultural animals and livestock.
Taking these precautions will help reduce the risk of spreading the virus:
- Avoid picking up or handling sick or dead wild birds
- If you must dispose of a dead bird on your property, wear rubber gloves and other personal protective equipment, such as a mask and eye protection.
- Dead birds should be buried or double bagged and disposed of in a covered outdoor trash can or landfill.
- After disposing of the carcass, wash hands thoroughly with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer and disinfect clothing and shoes.
- If you are frequently in contact with poultry, including backyard flocks, or other domesticated birds, you are encouraged to have separate clothing and shoes for use in the areas where you keep those birds.
- Keep flocks away from vultures and ponds or similar bodies of water that are also accessible to wild waterfowl.
- Removal of birdfeeders is not necessary unless other factors are present.
- Residents on Virginia’s Eastern Shore should temporarily remove their bird feeders if their feeders are located adjacent to a body of water, are frequented by waterfowl or if poultry is present on the property.
- If sick or dead birds of any species are witnessed around a bird feeder, it should be removed for several weeks and thoroughly disinfected.
- Hunters should wear disposable gloves when handling game birds and dress birds in the field or a well-ventilated area.
- To help limit possible disease spread to scavengers, bury carcass parts thoroughly, or double bag them and place in a secure outdoor trash can.
- After handling wild game birds, wash hands thoroughly with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
- Clean and disinfect work surfaces and equipment thoroughly after transporting or butchering birds and change clothes before handling any domestic birds you have at home.
Public assistance requested
DWR is tracking the extent of HPAI in Virginia’s wild birds and is requesting the public’s assistance in reporting the following:
- Five or more dead vultures, waterfowl, shorebirds or seabirds in the same area within five days
- Sick or dead eagles, hawks, owls or turkeys, excluding ones found on the road
- Ten or more dead wild birds of any species in the same area within five days
Report incidents of sick or dead wild birds to (855) 571-9003 or [email protected].
If you develop any flu-like symptoms after handling wild birds (fever, body aches, red or itchy eyes, etc.), contact your state or local health department.
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Crystal Graham
