Science & Nature
Illinois Officials Issue Bird Flu Warning After ‘Large Event of Waterfowl Mortality’
Snow geese are among the migrating waterfowl that have died from bird flu in Illinois. (kojihirano / iStock)
Citing a “large event of waterfowl mortality,” the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Illinois Department of Public Health and Illinois Department of Agriculture issued a joint statement Friday afternoon, reminding the public to use caution around waterfowl or other wild birds.
Several dozen waterbirds, primarily snow geese, died at Baldwin Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area in Randolph County.
Tests results indicate the bird deaths were due to highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), or a highly infectious and deadly strain of bird flu.
As waterfowl continue migrating through Illinois and congregating, officials anticipate additional incidents could occur.
Concerns about the spread of bird flu have ramped up in recent days, with cases reported in humans who came in contact with infected birds or cows.
No human cases have been reported in Illinois, nor has any human-to-human transmission occurred. The Centers for Disease Control is maintaining an updated dashboard of human exposures.
Wild aquatic birds — ducks, geese, swans, gulls, storks, etc. — carry and spread the virus, often without showing symptoms or becoming sick themselves. Poultry flocks and backyard chickens have become infected, with more than 125 million birds killed or euthanized since the current outbreak began in 2022.
“The public is reminded to not handle or attempt to capture waterfowl or other wild birds displaying signs of illness,” IDNR said. Pets such as dogs and cats likewise should be kept away from sick birds.
Symptoms in birds include: lack of coordination, swelling, purple discoloration and coughing, sneezing and nasal discharge.
If people come across five or more dead birds at a single location, they should report it to IDNR district wildlife biologists, whose contact information is available online.
IDNR is also discouraging wildlife rehabilitators from accepting waterfowl and other aquatic birds at this time.
Anyone who develops symptoms of the flu — fever, cough, sore throat, difficulty breathing, body aches, headaches, eye redness, vomiting or diarrhea — after exposure to sick or dead birds, should notify their local health department immediately.
Contact Patty Wetli: @pattywetli | (773) 509-5623 | [email protected]