RI: Bird flu in wild birds

[Shiloh]

Source: https://www.providencejournal.com/st...nd/7723002001/


What's causing so many seabirds to turn up dead on RI beaches?
Alex Kuffner
The Providence Journal

PROVIDENCE — An unusual number of dead seabirds washing up on beaches in Rhode Island and other parts of the Atlantic Coast may be due to a highly infectious strain of avian flu.

While the chances of human infection are low, authorities are advising the public to avoid contact with any of the dead birds, which include gulls, shearwaters, cormorants and terns. They urged people not to touch birds or allow their dogs near carcasses.

“A relatively small number of seabirds and other waterbirds washing up dead on beaches is normal this time of year, but in the past several weeks multiple locations along the Atlantic Coast, including Rhode Island, have seen higher than usual numbers,” the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management and The Nature Conservancy said in a joint statement.

[Shiloh]

Source: https://www.providencejournal.com/st...d/10049159002/

Authorities have confirmed first case in RI of highly contagious strain of bird flu
Alex Kuffner
July 13, 2022

PROVIDENCE – Authorities have confirmed the first case in Rhode Island of a highly contagious strain of bird flu that has spread throughout much of the country in recent months.

A great black-backed gull that was found seriously ill on a South Kingstown beach on June 23 tested positive for highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management and The Nature Conservancy announced on Wednesday.

Tests of samples from the approximately 100 dead shearwaters that have washed up on Rhode Island beaches this summer came back negative for the virus. ..