Avian flu confirmed in N.C. wild birds

North Carolina natural resource agencies have confirmed wild bird mortalities due to highly pathogenic avian influenza. The mortalities include a snow goose, redhead duck, red-shouldered hawk and bald eagle in four separate counties.

The snow goose was collected at Mattamuskeet National Wildlife Refuge by refuge staff with initial testing at the U.S. Geological Survey’s National Wildlife Health Center. The other birds were collected by N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission staff with testing by the Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study.  Both the snow goose and redhead were observed with neurological signs consistent with HPAI prior to being euthanized. The hawk and eagle were found dead. While both labs detected presence of avian influenza virus, HPAI was confirmed by the National Veterinary Services Lab in Ames, Iowa.

HPAI incidences are being tracked here by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Read more from the Associated Press.