The Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife is reporting that many wildlife rehabilitators are currently not accepting waterfowl due to the spread of avian flu in wild birds. Because waterfowl can carry the virus without showing symptoms, allowing them into rehabilitation facilities can put all the birds at the facility at risk.
Goslings, ducklings and adult waterfowl can all carry the virus. If you find healthy ducklings or goslings without a parent nearby, please leave them alone and allow the parents to find them. If you choose to interfere, they can be released at the nearest waterway. Injured ducks and geese may be brought to an ODFW office for euthanasia. Please call ahead if you are bringing in an injured duck or goose.
If you see sick or dead wild birds, do not collect or handle them but report the incident directly to your local ODFW office or the Wildlife Health lab at 866-968-2600 or email at Wildlife.Health@odfw.oregon.gov. ODFW staff will be conducting surveillance and collecting /testing sick and dead wild birds to monitor for the presence of the disease.
While very contagious and deadly for some birds, the risk to human health is low according to the CDC.
