Categories: Health

Maryland steps up response to rising number of sick and dead birds in the state

More wildlife technicians will be available in Maryland to dispose of dead birds that may carry diseases such as bird flu or bird flu.

Due to a $30,000 contract expansion between the Maryland Department of Natural Resources and the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, more wildlife technicians will be available in the state to remove dead birds that could carry diseases such as avian flu, commonly known as bird flu.

Officials say the current $80,000 contract helps the state triage about 30,000 calls related to sick, injured or dead wildlife.

H5N1 is an airborne respiratory virus that spreads rapidly among birds, including waterfowl and raptors.

A case of H5N1 was confirmed in Caroline County earlier this month, marking the first case of the virus detected in one of Maryland’s commercial poultry establishments since 2023. Officials said additional cases have been discovered since recent tests.

Anyone who sees sick or dead birds in the wild should not handle or move them, but should report them to the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service by calling 1-877-463-6497, according to a DNR news release.

Authorities have said the risk to human health is low, but anyone hunting wild birds should follow safety precautions, including washing hands and wearing gloves when handling prey, and avoiding harvesting birds that are already dead or sick.

Anyone stocking bird feeders for the winter should be fine, as songbirds pose a very low risk of contracting or spreading the virus, officials say.

Get the latest news and daily headlines delivered to your email inbox by signing up here.

newsnetdaily