Bird flu leaves hundreds of ducks dead or severely sick along Lake Michigan, monitor group reports
CHICAGO — Monitors with an area bird tracking organization say that they've determined that a number of ducks have succumbed to bird flu along Lake Michigan.
The Chicago Bird Collision Monitors reported that, after noting the deleterious effects of bird flu among goose, eagle, hawk, and owl populations in recent weeks, they're now fielding multiple reports of bird flu among the red-breasted merganser population. Red-breasted merganser ducks come to Chicago for the winter.
The bird collision monitors said they're also seeing some H5N1 symptoms cropping up among crows and gulls.
"These birds are grounded on beaches, yards, parking lots and sidewalks. They present with tremors and little ability to move," the organization reported Sunday. Other symptoms they're observing include weakness, lack of balance, diarrhea, respiratory issues and also cloudy eyes.
At the 31st Street Beach, duck after duck ended up on the shore after being infected with bird flu. Annette Prince with the Chicago Bird Collision Monitors noted the waterfowl are falling ill and dying all along lakefront beaches from Hyde Park to Wilmette.
"We've been getting hundreds of calls throughout eight counties in the Chicago region," Prince said.
Meanwhile, there is the question of who will clean up the duck corpses.
"I don't think anyone is designated to do that," said Prince.
But on Tuesday afternoon, conservation volunteers were picking up the duck corpses themselves. They walked over ice chunks at 31st Street Beach to do so.
"A lot of birds may end up suffering because a lot of the dead birds on the beaches are eaten by gulls and crows, and those birds who are preying upon them could be exposed to the virus because it's highly contagious to birds," Prince said Tuesday.
Chicago Bird Collision Monitors said they have been getting calls about the dead birds on lakefront beaches since Friday, and found nearly two dozen Tuesday a,oalone.
As bird flu cases have proliferated in Chicago in recent months, the economic impacts have been considerable. Recently, Kakadoodle Farm in the southern suburbs reported losing its entire flock of nearly 3,000 hens. Also in January, a seal and a flamingo at the Lincoln Park Zoo both died as a result of bird flu.
Red-breasted merganser ducks come to Chicago for the winter. But once they are infected with avian flu, they start to suffer tremors and can't move.
Officials say that, nationwide, since the H5N1 strain of bird flu reached the U.S. in 2022, more than 148 million birds have been ordered euthanized.
Chicago Bird Collision Monitors advised residents who happen upon them should avoid handling birds who have symptoms of avian influenza and to keep pets and children away from sick birds. They asked people to flag cases to their group, and they would continue to "try, with limited resources, to advise or respond to the many cases striking the Chicago area."
They added that a number of centers that would normally handle humanely euthanizing suffering animals are not currently admitting birds with suspected bird flu, as they are exercising caution to prevent exposure to other animals or humans.
"We do not know when this current outbreak will end, but the virus does not survive well in warmer temperatures, which we will reach in the spring," the organization reported.
Dr. Lauren Ugol of BondVet said it is rare for dogs and other animals to get bird flu, and her office has not seen any confirmed cases yet.
"I had one message today about a dog that was at a beach that rolled around on a carcass," she said.
But dogs can get bird flu.
"This can be your golden retriever going down Lake Michigan at the beach, rolling on an unknown bird," Ugol said.
Dr. Ugol said owners need to watch their dogs, use leashes, wipe off their paws, and refrain from feeding them raw products.
If a dog does contract avian flu, it will work through like any other virus.
"I don't think dog owners should go outside and be scared, but they should be aware," Ugol said.
The Chicago Park District, in a statement, said:
"The Chicago Park District works closely with city, state, and federal partners to respond to incidents of deceased wildlife on park grounds. We are aware of the recent mortality event impacting bird species along Chicago's lakefront. The District has deployed personnel to check all beaches and park lagoons after receiving reports of impacted birds at multiple locations. The District is addressing the removal and disposal of carcasses from park property.
"To protect the safety of patrons and their pets, we urge residents to follow park rules by keeping dogs leashed and avoiding contact with any bird remains while the matter is being.addressed. Residents can assist by reporting any sick or deceased birds to 311"The Park District also reports these events to the Illinois Department of Natural Resources."
"It's heartbreaking," Prince said. "These are beautiful birds that survive during these harsh conditions along the lakefront."