are birds still dying in ohio

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Symptoms can include eye swelling, closed, weeping, or crusted eyes, lethargy, eye lesions and neurological signs. Until we learn more about the cause of the sickness and death, we suggest taking preventative measures to reduce the possibility of the disease spreading among birds congregating around bird feeders. These steps, which are also suggested by the National Wildlife Health Center, include:

Even though declining reports in some areas are promising and raise hopes for soon reinstalling birdbaths and feeders, numerous state agencies and the USGS continue to advise against feeding birds. Until further research yields more definitive information about the illness’s cause, Audubon’s recommendations are unchanged from those of the USGS.

Assist in protecting birds’ futures from threats such as habitat loss and climate change. Your contribution will fuel our research, instruction, advocacy, and field-based conservation initiatives.

For the past several weeks, Audubon and our wildlife partners have been fielding troubling reports of sick and dying birds across the Great Lakes region including Ohio and Indiana. To date, there are also reports of sick birds in the District of Columbia, Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania, Kentucky, Tennessee, and West Virginia areas. While we are not yet certain of the potential cause of these reports, we wanted to share details on what is known at this point based on information provided by the U.S. Geological Survey’s National Wildlife Health Center.

With an emphasis on bird conservation and the preservation of significant habitats, Audubon chapters cultivate a culture of conservation in their local communities through advocacy and education.

THE FACTS: False. The video misrepresents the negative effects of the event by using dead birds near New Carlisle, Indiana.

This is a Lexington, Kentucky parking lot full of DEAD BIRDS. 350 miles SW of East Palestine, OH,” reads one post on Twitter with hashtags such as “#OhioChemicalDisaster” and “#OhioCoverup. ”.

In the video, a group of birds—some with their beaks open—are seen hanging side by side on an upside-down power line. As the camera pans down, more birds can be seen lying on the ground, seemingly dead.

The video was uploaded on Jan. 20 by Shelly Lister Struss, a resident of Buchanan, Michigan, a small city roughly 12 miles (20 kilometers) from New Carlisle. 22. She told the AP that she was the one who took the footage, which was taken approximately two miles (3 kilometers) outside of New Carlisle’s downtown.

THE FACTS: False. Social media users are spreading a post showing three different views of the parking lot and a close-up of a dead black bird, implying that the derailment’s toxic chemicals have spread to Lexington, more than 300 miles away.

FAQ

Is it safe to feed birds in Ohio now?

The Ohio Division of Wildlife is lifting its previous recommendation to stop feeding birds. However, caution and vigilance are always necessary to help prevent further spread of diseases at bird feeders.

What is the new bird disease in Ohio?

Highly pathogenic avian influenza virus, such as H5N1 detected in 2022, often causes death to poultry but symptoms in other birds are variable. Federal and state agencies, as well as universities, are actively monitoring for the virus in the United States.

Are wild birds dying?

But the virus is causing another major crisis that’s drawn far less attention: the death of wild birds. The ongoing outbreak of avian flu has killed hundreds of thousands — if not millions — of wild birds, including endangered species like the California condor.

Why are birds dying in my neighborhood?

Dead bird reports are often the first sign that WNV is active in an area, and the reports help track WNV throughout the year. Wild birds are the main source of WNV for mosquitoes. When certain birds become infected with WNV, they will have WNV in their blood.