An mystery infection that is blinding and killing songbirds is spreading across the US and has now been recorded in thousands of cases in nine states, officials have warned.
The disease—which causes swelling and crusting over of the eyes, as well as neurological impairments—was first reported in the greater Washington D.C area in early May, with cases in Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia.
Now, cases are being cited in Delaware, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania and as far west as Ohio, Indiana and Kentucky.
Many of the birds have crusty, swollen eyeballs, according to a statement from the United States Geological Survey, ‘accompanied by wobbly movements that suggest neurological issues.’
While the cause of the illness is still unknown, officials have ruled out many usual suspects, including avian influenza, West Nile virus, salmonella, chlamydia, Newcastle disease, herpes and Trichomonas parasites, among other pathogens.
They also confirm the disease has not been linked to any health issues in humans, livestock or poultry.
The New Jersey Department of Fish and Wildlife reports that most of the impaired birds are otherwise in good body condition, ‘likely still being fed by their parents.’
Wildlife experts first started receiving reports of a mystery infection causing eye swelling and neurological symptoms in early May. Pictured: A bluejay with crusted-over eyes found in Kentucky
Cases of the unknown illness were first reported in songbirds in Maryland, Virginia, Washington D.C. and West Virginia in early May 2021. Since then, hundreds more have surfaced in Delaware, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, and Kentucky
At first, the USGS indicated the disease was confined to fledgling grackles and blue jays, two species commonly found in the mid-Atlantic region.
The agency subsequently updated its report last week to add European starlings, American robins, northern cardinals, house sparrows, brown-headed cowbirds and other songbirds to the list.
Wildlife experts in Maryland, Virginia, Washington D.C. and West Virginia first started receiving reports of the infection in early May, when it was linked with at least 325 cases of sick or dead birds.
‘It seems to be pretty widespread, and also it’s extending for a pretty good period of time,’ Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources veterinarian Megan Kirchgessner told The Washington Post in May. ‘And it’s continuing.’
A songbird captured in Virginia exhibits eye swelling and discharge, symptoms of the mystery disease. More than 400 birds with visual and/or neurological impairments have been reported in Virginia alone
Between May 23 and June 30, the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources received 1,400 reports of sick or dying birds, WWBT reported, with roughly a third described as having eye issues and/or neurological signs.
The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources has received more than 250 reports of sick or dying birds related to the unexplained illness since its online portal went live on June 17.
Indiana’s Department of Natural Resources has cited nearly 300 cases in 53 counties since late May, with many in northeastern Allen and Kosciusko Counties.
Environmental agencies, the National Park Service and USGS are conducting ongoing investigations across the affected states.
A bird was found in Washington, D.C. in May with swollen eyes and crusty discharge. The United States Geological Survey has ruled out avian flu, West Nile Virus, salmonella and other well-known pathogens, and say the disease has not emerged among humans or livestock
They caution that birds gathered at baths and feeders can transmit disease and have asked the public to remove them until this potential plague has concluded.
‘The whole reason for this is because we want birds to be able to socially distance naturally,’ said Allisyn Gillet, an ornithologist with the Indiana Department of Natural Resources.
‘They don’t have that know-how that that’s not okay for them when there’s a disease going around.’
Members of the public are advised to avoid handling birds, especially sick or dead ones, but if handling is necessary they should wear disposable gloves and put dead birds inside sealable plastic bags in the trash.
Anyone encountering sick or dead birds is encouraged to contact their local wildlife conservation agency or submit a report to the United States Geological Survey’s mortality event form.
Feeders and bird baths should be cleaned with a ten percent bleach solution, rinsed with warm water and allowed to air dry.
DEATH IN THE WEST: CALIFORNIA WILDFIRES LEAD TO STARVATION OF MILLIONS OF SONGBIRDS
The strange new epidemic comes less than a year after hundreds of thousands—possibly millions—of migrating songbirds died of starvation in the southwestern US in 2020.
Some 80 percent of carcasses analyzed by officials in New Mexico and California showed signs of ‘severe emaciation.’
Hundreds of thousands, possibly millions, of birds died unexpectedly in the southwestern US in August and September 2020. Some 80 percent of the carcasses analyzed showed signs of ‘severe emaciation’
As lab results ruled out viral and bacterial contagion, parasites and pesticides, researchers believe raging wildfires that devastated California and other Western US states last year forced the birds to migrate early or take longer routes that depleted their energy reserves too quickly.
According to biologists with the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish, a surprise coldsnap in early September also likely added to the death toll.
Smoke poisoning from the fires themselves was also eliminated as the culprit, but 80 percent of the analyzed carcasses showed signs of ‘severe emaciation.’
Hundreds of the dead birds were first discovered August 20 in White Sands National Monument in southern New Mexico.
Within weeks, avian carcasses turned up all over the state — including warblers, bluebirds, sparrows and blackbirds – as well as in Colorado, Texas and Mexico.
Residents and biologists in the region also reported seeing birds acting lethargic and unresponsive, leading to frequent collisions with automobiles.
Most specimens showed acute signs of starvation—empty stomachs, kidney failure, blood in the intestine, a lack of fat deposits and severely shrunken breast muscle.
A 2019 Audubon Society report indicated two-thirds of North American birds face extinction because of climate change.
A separate study by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology showed that North American bird populations have declined by nearly 3 billion birds since 1970, due in large part to human interference.
On the plus side, regulations intended to reduce pollution have also slowed that decline across the US.
A report in The Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found caps on ozone emissions instituted as part of the Clean Air Act have saved as many as 1.5 billion birds in the past 40 years, equal to 20 percent of all birds in the US today.
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