Kansas biologist estimates 14,000 birds have fallen ill or died of bird flu

TOPEKA (KSNT) - A Kansas wildlife expert is weighing in on what state residents should do if they encounter wild birds showing signs of serious infection.

27 News reached out to Wildlife Disease Program Coordinator Shane Hesting with the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) regarding a recent spike in bird flu cases at state reservoirs and wetland areas. Bird flu, also known as highly pathogenic avian influenza (H5N1), is being recorded in numerous states this year.

Hesting told 27 News on Dec. 4 that dead and dying wild migrating birds were reported at eight different reservoirs and wetlands across the state. However, while reports are now decreasing as of Dec. 12, Hesting said around 14,000 sick and dead Ross's geese, snow geese and Canada geese have been recorded from the end of November through to December.

"That is just a rough estimate," Hesting said. "Total mortality is likely much higher because of birds dying in more rural/remote areas and not reported."

Hesting encourages people who encounter sick, dead or dying wild migratory birds to avoid contact with them due to the potential hazard they pose in spreading the bird flu. This mirrors recent advice issued by Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) on Dec. 4. If you do touch an infected specimen, the KDWP recommends washing your hands thoroughly or use common household disinfectants.

"In most cases, migratory birds are allowed to remain alive in nature, due to federal migratory bird regulations under the purview of the USFWS, and let nature take it course," Hesting said. "If, however, a sick bird is in such a location that human health, domestic pet health, or livestock health (mainly domestic poultry) is immediately threatened by the presence of the sick, wild duck or goose, it can be euthanized, double bagged, and discarded in a dumpster. Every Kansas citizen has the right to protect their health and property."

People who think they may have come into contact with an animal carrying bird flu are encouraged to contact their healthcare representative for consultation. If you are trying to deliver a sick animal to a wildlife agency or shelter, contact them in advance to see if they can accommodate the animal.

"With individual geese showing up in multiple locations, the event seems worse than it actually is," Hesting said. "The best estimate now is 1% or less of the light goose population has been negatively affected, and even less than that for Canada Geese."

Hesting encourages people to report sick and dead wildlife to the KDWP at this time to help give biologists a better idea of how badly the bird flu is impacting wild migrating waterfowl. You can find the number for your local KDWP office by clicking here.

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has been monitoring the bird flu this year following an increase in human and animal cases of the virus, including a recent case where a child in California became infected. Bird flu has also been found in dairy cows and dairy workers in multiple states, causing alarm in early 2024 and continuing to cause issues in the dairy industry towards the end of the year.

The Department of Agriculture (USDA), Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the CDC posted a warning about bird flu being detected in Kansas dairy cows on March 25. State departments such as the Kansas Department of Agriculture (KDA) and Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) recently told 27 News bird flu cases would likely pop up as the fall bird migration season moved forward.

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