PORTSMOUTH, Va. (WAVY) – The Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR) says it has recently seen an increase in bird disease and mortality in eastern Virginia, including Hampton Roads.
Preliminary tests indicate that this phenomenon is likely caused by highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1. Birds in Hampton Roads, the Northern Neck and the Middle Peninsula were found to be infected.
Hampton Roads saw more dead birds than usual. 10 On Your Side’s Amy Avery reported in mid-March that birds were washing up on Ocean View. Birds are important to the ecosystem and are declining every year, said Lisa Barlow, president of the Tidewater Rehabilitation and Environmental Education Association.
DWR says a variety of shorebirds and waterfowl have been reported, but grebes, sanderlings and gulls appear to be the most affected. These findings are consistent with what was reported locally several weeks ago.
At the time, Barlow suspected that the cause of these deaths was highly pathogenic avian influenza.
“All poultry owners in Virginia should be advised that HPAI is still present in the environment, as evidenced by migration of wild birds along the Atlantic Flyway and recent detections of HPAI in waterfowl. biosecurity must be maintained,” said Dr. Carolyn Bisset, program manager for VDCAS Veterinary Services.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) considers the risk of transmission of avian influenza from wild birds, backyard birds, and commercial poultry to humans to be low. However, it is still recommended to use caution and take appropriate precautions such as gloves, masks, and eye protection when handling or disposing of bird carcasses.
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