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Illinois DNR suspects bird flu in deaths of 300 waterfowl
December 1, 2022 State News
BELLEVILLE, Ill. (AP) – State wildlife officials suspect that bird flu killed at least 300 waterfowl recently found dead at public hunting sites across southern Illinois. The Illinois Department of Natural Resources said Tuesday the wild birds, mostly snow geese, have been found dead at Baldwin Lake, Pyramid State Recreation Area, Rend Lake and Carlyle Lake. The DNR says the wild birds are believed to have died of avian influenza. ...
IDNR continues monitoring for avian influenza mortality in waterfowl during seasonal migration
Press Release - Wednesday, December 11, 2024
SPRINGFIELD - The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) would like to remind the public to report any large mortality events of waterfowl and other waterbirds during seasonal migrations.
Several dozen waterbirds, primarily snow geese, have died of suspected highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) at Baldwin Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area in Randolph County recently. Other mortality events may occur in the state as waterfowl arrive from northern breeding grounds and congregate.
IDNR first announced HPAI was detected in wild Canada geese in Illinois in March 2022 in a joint notice with the Illinois Department of Agriculture.
IDNR will continue to monitor for mortality events from HPAI during the seasonal bird migration. Members of the public are encouraged to report concentrations of five or more deceased birds found at one location. Reports can be made to the local IDNR district wildlife biologist online.
Rubber gloves and a mask should be worn when disposing of any deceased wild birds, and carcasses should be double-bagged in sealed plastic bags. The bags can be buried away from scavengers or placed in the garbage if approved by the local waste service provider. Anyone handling deceased birds should thoroughly wash their hands and any other clothes or tools with soap and water after disposal.
The department reminds waterfowl hunters to take precautions and thoroughly cook game meat to an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit. Avoid handling sick or dead waterfowl found in the field. Do not allow dogs and other pets to consume waterfowl and poultry that died from unknown causes. Further guidance for hunters can be found on the U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service website.
[bolding is mine]
Media Don’t bring sick geese to Oaken Acres center, warn officials as avian flu spreads
December 19, 2024 at 6:00 am CST
SYCAMORE – Public health officials and wildlife rescuers are warning residents to be wary of birds who may seem ill amid suspected cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza in migratory waterfowl.
DeKalb County-based Oaken Acres Wildlife Center announced Wednesday that it no longer will accept geese that appear to exhibit symptoms in order to protect their staff and other birds in-house.
Oaken Acres Executive Director Kathy Stelford said her staff has kept geese outside of the center’s main building, which houses an array of animals and birds that are susceptible to the virus. The center often takes in injured or sick wild animals to care for and then rehabilitate them.
“The rate of infection is just too risky for us to subject our animals, our birds to having these birds here,” Stelford said. “It feels bad because we’re a rehab center.”
This month, area residents have called the center to report at least a dozen unresponsive geese, Stelford said. The center initially instructed people to bring the geese in to Oaken Acres, thinking the birds were hit by a car or attacked by another animal. But Stelford said she now believes the geese have avian flu.
“Some of them [geese], even by the time people had [driven] them here, had died,” Stelford said. “So it’s a very fast-acting virus that can be contracted from one goose to another within 24-hour exposure.”
The geese have not be confirmed to have avian flu, but Stelford said officials from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources on Tuesday took a dead goose for testing.
The test results were not yet known as of Wednesday. Stelford said she’s confident in her assessment based on her observations, however.
“Usually within a day or two after they show symptoms, they die,” Stelford said. “So the ones that are getting here are either almost dead, dying or probably just beginning to show symptoms, and they are going to die very quickly.”
Illinois Health Officials Report Bird Flu in Ogle County
By Country Herald Staff Report -
December 19, 2024
Rochelle, IL – A wild bird in Rochelle has tested positive for H5N1 bird flu, marking Illinois’ first confirmed case this season. The Ogle County Health Department (OCHD) shared the update Thursday, urging residents to remain cautious....
IDNR, IDPH, and IDOA monitoring avian influenza mortality events in waterfowl throughout Illinois
Press Release - Friday, December 20, 2024
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SPRINGFIELD - The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) is monitoring a large event of waterfowl mortality at numerous locations throughout Illinois. Test results received so far indicate highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) is the cause.
The public is reminded to not handle or attempt to capture waterfowl or other wild birds displaying signs of illness.
IDNR will continue to monitor for HPAI mortality events throughout the state during the seasonal bird migration. Members of the public are encouraged to report concentrations of five or more deceased birds found at one location to IDNR district wildlife biologists by going online.
Due to risk of infection to other animals, dogs and other pets should be kept away from the carcasses of birds that may have died from HPAI. If carcasses need to be disposed of, IDNR recommends following guidance from the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH). IDNR is unable to assist with carcass removal from non-IDNR properties in most situations.
Local animal control agencies should also take similar precautions and follow the guidelines above in disposing of dead birds. In addition, IDPH recommends:
Do not send dying or dead birds to veterinarians, wildlife refuges, etc., for testing. Instead, notify your local health department or alert IDNR wildlife biologists in cases of five or more deceased birds found in one location.
People can get on antiviral medications after exposures to prevent illness.
If the public develops any 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, please notify the local health department immediately. Upon seeking medical attention, please let any health care facility know of your exposure.
Treatment must be started within two days of illness for it to be most effective, so the public is urged to not delay seeking care.
"While avian influenza generally poses a low risk to the population, it is essential to take the necessary steps to avoid exposure, and to seek treatment quickly if you are exposed," said IDPH Director Dr. Sameer Vohra. "We encourage all Illinoisans to follow the advice of the experts at IDNR in order to avoid contact with sick birds, and to take any potential exposure seriously. These common-sense steps can help reduce the likelihood of spreading this illness."
IDNR recommends that wildlife rehabilitators not accept waterfowl and other aquatic birds because of the elevated risk of infection by HPAI at this time. Caution should also be taken when accepting raptors, scavengers, and other birds displaying signs of illness due to risk of exposure to HPAI. Further guidance for wildlife rehabilitators regarding HPAI can be found online.
The Department reminds waterfowl hunters to take precautions and thoroughly cook game meat to an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit. Avoid handling sick or dead waterfowl found in the field. Further guidance for hunters can be found online.
In addition to detections in wild birds, Illinois and other states across the United States have seen detections in poultry.
"The Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDOA) encourages poultry owners to be aware of the risk, increase biosecurity measure and prevent contact with wild birds," said Dr. Mark Ernst, IDOA state veterinarian. "In addition, we encourage poultry owners to report unusually large mortalities in their flocks and to be aware of IDPH's recommendations regarding exposure to sick birds."
Public Notice: Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in Waterfowl
Reports of waterfowl (geese, ducks, etc.) affected by highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) have been confirmed across the region, including Woodstock, Illinois. To help reduce the risk of exposure, it is crucial to report and safely remove any deceased birds immediately.
If you find deceased waterfowl on CITY property:
Contact City of Woodstock Public Works Department:
📞 815-338-6118 📧 pwdept@woodstockil.gov
If you find deceased waterfowl on PRIVATE property:
Report the incident to the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR).
Follow these USDA removal guidelines:
Do not touch the waterfowl directly.
Wear disposable gloves and a face mask.
Place the bird(s) in a garbage bag without expelling air, then dispose of the bag in an outdoor garbage can.
Wash any clothing that comes into contact with the birds or their feces.
Disinfect the soles of footwear that come into contact with waterfowl feces.
For additional USDA information, visit: https://www.aphis.usda.gov/
Your prompt action helps protect public health and limits the spread of HPAI.
McHenry County: MCDH monitoring H5N1 avian influenza activity
December 23, 2024 MCHENRY COUNTY, IL – The McHenry County Department of Health (MCDH) is monitoring regional reports of highly pathogenic avian influenza (H5N1) in wild bird populations. While no human cases have been confirmed in McHenry County, the MCDH encourages residents to stay informed and take precautions to minimize potential risks associated with the virus.
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For more information, contact the McHenry County Department of Health at (815) 334-4500 or visit mcdh.info.
Nearly 2 dozen dead geese reported at Lake SummersetBy Alyssa Kelly
By Alyssa Kelly
Published: Dec. 24, 2024 at 7:14 PM EST|Updated: 9 minutes ago
(WIFR) - According to the association, around two dozen dead geese are found at Lake Summerset in Stephenson and Winnebago counties.
The Illinois Department of Public Health retrieved two dead geese from Lake Summerset for testing, but the association is still awaiting the results...
DuPage County wildlife officials euthanize bald eagle displaying signs of bird flu
WGN Chicago
Gabriel Castillo
January 7, 2025 at 5:57 PM
DUPAGE COUNTY, Ill. — Wildlife authorities in DuPage County euthanized a bald eagle that was found to be displaying strong signs of bird flu last week, according to Chicago Bird Collision Monitors.
An official from the conservation organization confirmed Tuesday that the bald eagle was found and rescued on Friday afternoon at Butler Cemetery, located along Madison Street in Oakbrook near the border into Hinsdale...
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