Avian flu could be the reason you’re seeing more dead birds in Hampton Roads

PORTSMOUTH, Va. (WAVY) — Recently, birds have reportedly been getting sick and dying at increasing rates in the eastern part of Virginia, including Hampton Roads, according to the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources, or DWR.

This phenomenon is likely being caused by H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza, according to preliminary testing. Birds from Hampton Roads, Northern Neck and Middle Peninsula have been found infected.

Hampton Roads has seen a higher amount of dead birds than normal. 10 On Your Side’s Amy Avery reported back in mid-March that birds were washing ashore in Ocean View. The birds are important to the ecosystem and have been decreasing every year, said Tidewater Rehabilitation and Environmental Education President Lisa Barlow.

Different species of shorebirds and waterbirds have been reported, but grebes, sanderlings and gulls appear to be the most affected, according to the DWR. These findings line up with what was reported locally a couple weeks ago.

Barlow suspected back then that a highly pathogenic avian influenza could be the the cause for these deaths.

“All Virginia poultry owners should maintain the highest level of biosecurity as wild bird migrations along the Atlantic Flyway and recent HPAI detections in waterfowl confirm that HPAI remains present in our environment,” said Dr. Carolynn Bissett, Program Manager, VDCAS Veterinary Services.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or CDC, considers the transmission risk of avian influenza from wild birds, backyard birds, and commercial poultry to people to be low. However, people are still advised to use caution and use proper precaution like gloves, masks and eye protection when handling or disposing of dead birds.