As the avian flu continues to impact wildlife in Vermont, state officials are warning Vermonters to continue taking precautions when using bird feeders, stay away from any birds that may be sick and report sightings of dead flocks.
In May, only a handful of wild birds and one domestic flock had been reported to be infected with the virus.
Recently, officials confirmed that a flock of wild geese found dead in Barton had died of the avian flu, and at least 72 wild birds in the state have reportedly died from the disease, though that number is likely higher, according to David Sausville, who manages Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department’s wildlife program.
“With our testing, you have to look at the numbers with a little bit of a filter, because our goal was to document it by species and then also in regions of the state. So once we had it confirmed in, let’s say the Chittenden County area … we didn’t continue to test it,” he said.
Two flocks of infected domestic birds have been killed in Vermont to prevent further spread, according to department officials. One flock in Caledonia County was infected earlier this year, and another, with 50 birds, was identified in Lamoille County in early December. Domestic flocks are particularly susceptible to the flu.
Only one person in the United States has tested positive for avian flu, and there’s little risk of the virus spreading to humans in Vermont as long as people take precautions around birds that may have either contracted or died from avian flu, officials say.
Still, Sausville recommends that people who come across flocks of dead birds report the sightings to the department.
“This time of year, songbirds — five or more in one spot — would be something that would kind of trigger us to say there might be something going on here,” Sausville said.
While the avian flu’s impact has remained relatively constant since the disease first emerged in the state last spring, it hasn’t worsened, Sausville said. Officials do not think it poses a risk of destabilizing wild bird populations.
“The eagles still had good production years. We still had good numbers of pairs on the landscape,” he said. “We’ll just watch it over the years with our trends and the monitoring that we do every year.”
Officials with the department are hoping caseloads drop this winter as migratory birds fly south. In the spring, some hoped that the disease would wane with warmer temperatures, but the virus was strong enough to withstand the summer.
Sausville said Vermonters who are looking to use bird feeders should refer to the state’s website to read about the department’s recommendations. Bird feeders should be kept far from where domestic birds are located to prevent spread, for example. Sick birds should not be taken into homes or rehabilitation facilities, according to officials.
More information about preventing the spread of avian flu is available at Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department’s website. Reports can be made by email to fwinformation@vermont.gov, or by calling 802-828-1000.
