A local bird tracking group’s monitors report that they have identified some ducks along Lake Michigan that have died of avian flu.
After observing the detrimental impacts of bird flu on the populations of owls, hawks, eagles, and geese in recent weeks, the Chicago Bird Collision Monitors revealed that they are now receiving several reports of bird flu among the red-breasted merganser.
During the winter, red-breasted merganser ducks visit Chicago.
Crows and gulls are also exhibiting some H5N1 symptoms, according to the bird collision monitors.
On pavements, parking lots, yards, and beaches, these birds are grounded. They have tremors and limited mobility, the charity said on Sunday. Cloudy eyes, respiratory problems, diarrhea, weakness, and difficulty of balance are some of the other symptoms they are seeing.
Duck after duck, sick with avian flu, ended up on the strand at the 31st Street Beach. Waterfowl are becoming sick and dying along lakefront beaches from Hyde Park to Wilmette, according to Annette Price of the Chicago Bird Collision Monitors.
“We’ve been getting hundreds of calls throughout eight counties in the Chicago region,” Price stated.
Who is going to clean up the duck corpses in the interim?
“I don’t think anyone is designated to do that,” stated Price.
It is concerning because this is unclear.
“If they lay around and are not picked up, they have the risk of infecting other birds,” Price stated.
The economic effects of the recent surge of avian flu infections in Chicago have been significant. Kakadoodle Farm, located in the southern suburbs, recently reported that all of its almost 3,000 hens were lost.
Bird flu also claimed the lives of a flamingo and a seal at the Lincoln Park Zoo in January.
During the winter, red-breasted merganser ducks visit Chicago. However, they begin to tremble and become immobile after contracting avian flu.
More than 148 million birds have been forced to be put down countrywide since the H5N1 type of bird flu arrived in the United States in 2022, according to officials.
Residents who come across birds exhibiting signs of avian influenza are encouraged by Chicago Bird Collision Monitors to keep dogs and children away from sick birds. They would continue to “try, with limited resources, to advise or respond to the many cases striking the Chicago area.” They requested people to flag cases to their group.
Additionally, they stated that certain facilities that typically deal with the humane death of ill animals are not now accepting birds that may have bird flu because they are taking precautions to avoid exposing people or other animals.
“We do not know when this current outbreak will end, but the virus does not survive well in warmer temperatures, which we will reach in the spring,” according to the organization.
Bird flu is uncommon in dogs and other animals, according to BondVet’s Dr. Lauren Ugol, who also reported that her office has not yet received any confirmed cases.
“I had one message today about a dog that was at a beach that rolled around on a carcass,” she continued.
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Dogs, however, can contract avian flu.
“This can be your golden retriever going down Lake Michigan at the beach, rolling on an unknown bird,” Ugol stated.
According to Dr. Ugol, dog owners should keep an eye on their pets, keep them on leashes, clean their paws, and avoid giving them raw food.
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If bird flu strikes a dog, it will clear up like any other virus.
“I don’t think dog owners should go outside and be scared, but they should be aware,” Ugol stated.
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