Public Asked To Report Deceased Birds In Effort To Control Flu Outbreak

JAMESTOWN – New York’s Department of Environmental Conservation is asking those who find dead birds to report the discovery to officials. This, as an avian flu virus continues to spread statewide.

DEC officials are trying to get ahead of any potential outbreak in our reigon, since wild birds can be infected with the virus, but show no signs, carrying it when they migrate.

So far, over 10,000 birds in New York have perished.

Those who discover a deceased bird are asked to report it to the Buffalo regional office at (716) 851-7010.

The state Department of Agriculture and Markets has also banned all fowl auctions, sales, meets and swaps statewide in order to help contain the outbreak.

In order to slow the spread locally, it is also recommended to take down bird feeders. Several local organizations, like the Audubon Community Nature Center, since took steps to do so.