Vultures Are Dying Across VA: Here's Why, According To Officials

RICHMOND, VA — Black vultures are turning up dead across Virginia, and officials believe a strain of bird flu may be to blame.

The Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources on Tuesday said it has recently received several reports of groups of dead black vultures, including in several counties in southwest Virginia. According to officials, preliminary testing indicates the H5N1 virus, a highly pathogenic strain of avian influenza, is likely to blame.

"Although disease activity is currently centered in black vultures, with migration season beginning, it is likely there will be mortalities in other bird species, as well," wildlife officials said in a statement.

Bird flu is a disease caused by avian influenza A viruses that usually spread between birds but not people, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. H5N1, one of several different types of bird flu, is currently spreading worldwide in wild birds and causing sporadic outbreaks in U.S. poultry and dairy cows.

In addition to spreading to an increasing number of mammals, H5N1 has caused some rare human infections, according to the CDC.

Human illness from bird flu has ranged from mild symptoms to severe illness and death. However, most human cases of H5N1 bird flu in the United States have been mild to date. No person-to-person spread has been identified in the United States, the CDC said, but limited person-to-person spread has been reported in the past in other countries.

In Virginia, state officials are asking the public to notify the Department of Wildlife Resources if they observe any of the following:

• Five or more dead vultures, waterfowl, shorebirds or seabirds in the same area within five days.
• Sick or dead eagles, hawks, owls or turkeys, excluding ones found on the road.
• Ten or more dead wild birds of any species in the same area within five days.

Reports can be made by calling the Virginia Wildlife Conflict Helpline at 855-571-9003 or emailing wildlifehealth@dwr.virginia.gov.

The public should avoid picking up or handling sick or dead wild birds. If you must dispose of a dead bird on your property, health officials said to wear rubber gloves and other personal protective equipment, such as a mask and eye protection. Dead birds should be buried or double-bagged and disposed of in a secure outdoor trash can or landfill.

After disposing of the carcass, health officials said you should wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer, as well as disinfect clothing and shoes.

If you are frequently in contact with poultry, including backyard flocks or other domesticated birds, you should have separate clothing and shoes for use in the areas where birds are kept. Additionally, keep flocks away from vultures and ponds or similar bodies of water that are also accessible to wild waterfowl.

If you develop any flu-like symptoms after handling wild birds (fever, body aches, red or itchy eyes, etc.), residents should contact the state or local health department.