A bird with the illness.
The deaths of songbirds in the region are being investigated, and officials are asking for local residents to stop feeding them.
The deaths – mainly of blue jays, starlings, and common grackles, but also robins and cardinals – have been reported in Pennsylvania, Delaware, Florida, Maryland, Ohio, Indiana, West Virginia, Virginia, Kentucky, and Tennessee, according to the Pennsylvania Game Commission.
“Keep pets away from sick or dead birds as a standard precaution,” the Pennsylvania Game Commission advised.
The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control said wildlife health experts suspect congregating birds may contribute to the spread of the illness that causes swollen eyes with crusty discharge, as well as neurological signs such as erratic flight and stumbling.
Late last week, officials said there had been 15 reports of deaths of songbirds with the mysterious illness between Bucks, Chester, Philadelphia, and Montgomery counties.
“The Pennsylvania Game Commission is recommending that people cease feeding birds until this event is resolved,” officials said in a statement.
PattiAnn Cutter, the assistant director at Silver Lake Nature Center in Bristol Township, told LevittownNow.com they have not observed any deaths of songbirds.
“As a precaution, we have temporarily pulled our birdfeeders. So we do have some unhappy birds and squirrels here. However, being at a Nature Center, they can also find plenty else to eat,” she said.
Residents have been asked to report sightings of birds who have died or appear ill to http://www.vet.upenn.edu/research/centers-laboratories/research-initiatives/wildlife-futures-program.
See also:
Likely Coyote Spotted On Trail Cam In Towamencin Township, Officials Say Presence Not Unusual
County Confirms Raccoon Tested Positive For Rabies In Horsham Township
Police Warn of 'Dangerous Raccoon' Roaming Montgomery Township
Local Skunk Tests Positive for Rabies
Coyotes Spotted In Towamencin Again
