New strain of bird flu kills hundreds of snow geese in Colorado - CNN

CNN  — 

A caller strain of highly pathogenic avian influenza – commonly called bird flu – has killed astir 1,600 snowfall geese successful 2 abstracted areas of Colorado since November, according to authorities wildlife officials.

Unlike anterior strains of the illness successful North America, this strain is “causing wide mortality successful immoderate taxon of chaotic birds, peculiarly successful snowfall geese, raptors, and vultures,” Colorado Parks and Wildlife spokesperson Bill Vogrin said successful a connection to CNN connected Monday.

The bureau began receiving reports of sick and dormant snowfall geese successful northeastern Colorado successful precocious 2022, the connection said. It documented implicit 1,000 deaths connected respective waterways successful Morgan and Logan counties.

Then officials heard of “large-scale mortalities” successful the southeastern information of the state.

“There was a die-off of astir 600 snowfall geese astatine John Martin Reservoir,” the connection said, noting little die-offs astatine surrounding reservoirs.

After highly pathogenic avian influenza has been confirmed successful a definite taxon and county, the wildlife section volition not trial further birds of that taxon wrong that region until the adjacent play – but further deaths are inactive counted, the connection said.

Birds carrying the illness tin transportation it to caller areas erstwhile migrating, perchance exposing home poultry to the virus, the US Department of Agriculture says.