[birdky] Please Report Sick, Dead Birds via Online Reporting System

From: "Slankard, Kate (KFW)" <Kate.Slankard@xxxxxx>
To: "birdky@xxxxxxxxxxxxx" <birdky@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Date: Fri, 18 Jun 2021 13:03:58 +0000

Kentucky birders,

The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources (KDFWR) has created an
online reporting system<https://www.research.net/r/2021KYSickBirdReports> for
the public to report encounters with sick or dead birds.
In late May, the department began receiving reports of sick and dying birds
with eye swelling and crusty discharge, as well as neurological signs. Wildlife
agencies in Indiana, Maryland, Ohio, Virginia, Washington, D.C. and West
Virginia have reported similar problems.
State wildlife agencies are working with diagnostic laboratories to investigate
the cause of mortality. KDFWR has sent more than 20 samples for lab testing to
the Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study at the University of
Georgia. More results are pending, but no definitive cause of death has been
identified at this time.
In Kentucky, reports of sick and dying birds have come from Jefferson, Kenton
and Boone counties. Species affected thus far have included blue jays, common
grackles and European starlings, but other species may be affected as well.
The public can access Kentucky's reporting system online at
https://www.research.net/r/2021KYSickBirdReports or through the Bird Mortality ;
Event webpage at https://fw.ky.gov/Wildlife/Pages/Bird-Mortality-Event.aspx.
Birds congregating at feeders and baths can transmit disease to one another.
Therefore, Kentucky Fish and Wildlife recommends the public follow these
guidelines:
In Jefferson, Boone and Kenton counties:

  *   Cease feeding birds until further notice (when this issue has been
resolved);
Statewide:

  *   Clean feeders and birdbaths with a 10 percent bleach solution
immediately, then weekly thereafter;
  *   Avoid handling birds, but wear disposable gloves if handling is
necessary; and
  *   Keep pets away from sick or dead birds as a standard precaution.
If you must remove dead birds, it is recommended that you place them in a
sealable plastic bag and dispose of the bag in a secured outdoor trash can.
The department will post additional information on its Wildlife Health and
Disease
webpage<https://fw.ky.gov/Wildlife/Pages/Diseases-and-Wildlife-Health.aspx> and
social media channels as diagnostic results become available.

Thanks,

Kate Slankard
Avian Biologist
Nongame Branch
KY Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources
#1 Sportsman's Lane
Frankfort, KY  40601
Phone:  502-892-4474
Fax:  502-564-4519
kate.slankard@xxxxxx<mailto:kate.slankard@xxxxxx>

[Title: KY Fish Wildlife website]<https://fw.ky.gov/Pages/default.aspx>Purchase
your Fishing or Hunting License today to support conservation and outdoor
recreation in Kentucky!<https://app.fw.ky.gov/license/waonlinefront.aspx>
Join Kentucky Wild to help conserve the nearly 1,000 species that aren't hunted
or fished for in the Commonwealth!<https://app.fw.ky.gov/kywild/>

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Follow-Ups:
- [birdky] Re: Please Report Sick, Dead Birds via Online Reporting System
  - From: Jim Swartwood

[birdky] Please Report Sick, Dead Birds via Online Reporting System

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