DNR: Bird Disease Closes Pigeon Lake Islands

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – DNR officials say the islands in Meeker County's Pigeon Lake have been closed to the public due to discovery of a disease in double-crested cormorants.

The disease is Newcastle Disease Virus, and the National Wildlife Health Center in Madison, Wis., confirmed it. The closure comes after 30 cormorants were recently found dead.

Newcastle Disease Virus rarely affects humans, the DNR said. When it does, it causes a mild inflammation of the inner eyelid.

In order to keep the disease from spreading to other birds, farmers have been advised to practice biosecurity. If domestic birds show symptoms-- droopy head or twisted neck, lack of coordination, inability to fly or dive and complete or partial paralysis -- producers should contact their veterinarian or call the Minnesota Board of Animal Health at 320-231-5170, the DNR said.

This is not the first time the disease has hit Pigeon Lake. Outbreaks happened across the state in 2010 and 2012, resulting in similar closures.

Pigeon Lake is about 15 miles north of Hutchinson in western Minnesota.