Officials advise people to use caution when near sick, dead birds

NEBRASKA -- As avian influenza continues to affect waterfowl and other bird species statewide, officials are encouraging people to use caution when coming into contact with birds.

Nebraska Game and Parks staff have collected waterfowl, including geese and swans, and have tested what their cause of death was. Avian influenza was confirmed in several cases.

Officials said that they have received reports of affected birds across the state in the past couple of weeks. They advise that the sick birds be left alone.

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, this outbreak has set a record number of birds that have been affected by the disease in comparison to previous outbreaks. The current outbreak began in early 2022 and has spread to 46 states.

For anyone that would like to help with clean-up of the birds to prevent further spread of the disease, they will be required to wear personal-protection equipment, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture protocol. The birds should be double bagged and placed in a dumpster.

Though the risk of infection to people is low, officials said the public should avoid contact with sick or dead birds and report them to their local Game and Parks office.