Officials Monitor Bird Flu During Fall Migration

The North Dakota Game and Fish Department is monitoring sick and dead birds across the state in response to increasing reports from the public.

Dr. Logan Weyand, Department wildlife veterinarian, said Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza is likely the cause and has been confirmed through testing this fall. 

Understandably, most of the reports of sick and dead birds in the last two weeks have been snow geese and other waterfowl as HPAI is documented to coincide with seasonal migrations of these species and is expected this time of year.

Weyand said disease risk to humans and pets is low but can occur. While limited contact with dead birds is recommended, if carcasses must be removed, the public is encouraged to wear disposable gloves, and to wash their hands and clothes after placing carcasses in a garbage bag and disposing of them via a waste management provider.