Bird Flu Confirmed In Woodstock, Across Illinois: Officials

ACROSS ILLINOIS — Bird flu has been reported in birds and waterfowl at numerous sites across the state, including in Woodstock, officials said this past week.

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources is monitoring the "large event of waterfowl death" and is urging the public to take the appropriate steps if they come upon a dead duck or goose, or several dead waterfowl.

"While avian influenza generally poses a low risk to the population, it is essential to take the necessary steps to avoid exposure, and to seek treatment quickly if you are exposed," said IDPH Director Dr. Sameer Vohra. "We encourage all Illinoisans to follow the advice of the experts at IDNR in order to avoid contact with sick birds, and to take any potential exposure seriously. These common-sense steps can help reduce the likelihood of spreading this illness."

If you find it the dead birds on private property, do not touch it directly with your hands but instead, wear disposable gloves and a face mask while placing the bird in a garbage bag. Do not expel the air from the bag and put it into a garbage can, according to United States Department of Agriculture officials.

Wash any clothing that comes into contact with the birds or their feces and disinfect the soles of footwear that come into contact with waterfowl feces, according to the USDA.

Anyone who comes upon five or more deceased birds at one location should contact the IDNR and report it by going online. And for any dead geese and ducks located in Woodstock found on city property, city officials say you can contact the Woodstock Public Works Department at 815-338-6118 or pwdept@woodstockil.gov to have the waterfowl remove.

IDNR officials say other animals, dogs and pets are at risk of infection and should be kept away from the carcasses of birds that may have died from bird flu.

In addition, IDPH recommends:

• Not sending dying or dead birds to veterinarians, wildlife refuges, etc., for testing. Instead, notify your local health department or alert IDNR wildlife biologists in cases of five or more deceased birds found in one location
• Requesting antiviral medications after exposures to prevent illness
• Contacting your local health department and seeking medical attention if you develop flu-like symptoms, including fever, cough, sore throat, difficulty breathing, body aches, headaches, eye redness, vomiting or diarrhea, after exposure to sick or dead birds, please notify the local health department immediately
• Not delaying seeking medical attention since treatment must be started within two days of illness for it to be most effective.

The IDNR is also recommending wildlife rehabilitation centers forgo accepting waterfowl or other aquatic birds at this time due to the elevated risk of infection. According to the IDNR, "caution should also be taken when accepting raptors, scavengers, and other birds displaying signs of illness due to risk of exposure to HPAI."

Further guidance for wildlife rehabilitators regarding HPAI can be found online.

As for waterfowl hunters, the DNR recommends precautions be taken when cooking the game meat. The internal temperature of the meat should reach 165 degrees, and you should avoid handling sick or dead waterfowl found in the field.

Further guidance for hunters can be found online.

In addition to detections in wild birds, Illinois and other states across the United States have seen detections in poultry.

"The Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDOA) encourages poultry owners to be aware of the risk, increase biosecurity measure and prevent contact with wild birds," said Dr. Mark Ernst, IDOA state veterinarian. "In addition, we encourage poultry owners to report unusually large mortalities in their flocks and to be aware of IDPH's recommendations regarding exposure to sick birds."