By Ali Longwell, Vail Daily
As migrating bird populations begin to travel through Colorado during late fall and winter, Colorado Parks and Wildlife expects an increase in wild birds infected with highly pathogenic avian influenza.
The state wildlife agency issued a press release on Dec. 10, warning Coloradans to avoid sick wildlife.
Waterfowl and shorebirds are particularly susceptible to avian influenza transmission, as they will gather in large numbers around bodies of water, which facilitates the spread of the virus.
High path avian influenza has been a concern among domestic and wild birds in the United States since 2022, when it was detected in a commercial U.S. flock. By the end of 2022, there were detections in all lower 48 states, whether in wild birds, commercial flocks or backyard flocks.
It has impacted nearly 10 million domestic birds in Colorado since 2022 and 127 million nationwide, according to the state’s Department of Agriculture. The strain detected causes high mortality rates in wild and domestic birds with no known cure or treatment.
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