Avian Flu in Pittsburgh?

Submitted by vitaminklutz t3_z7klq4 in pittsburgh

Has anybody noticed an increased amount of birds, specifically owls, dropping dead in the city? I live in Shadyside and have found two owls outside my apartment building this week.

I’m trying to figure out if they’re succumbing to the flu, or if someone sprinkled rat poison (a single apt has a mouse problem) and inadvertently killed them. I know I need to reach out to a government channel if it’s the former, and apartment management if it’s the latter - I just wanted to see if anyone else has experienced similar issues!

Thank you!

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Comments

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PirinTablets13 t1_iy74pq6 wrote

Contact the game commission if you come across another dead raptor. They seem to be more susceptible to the current HPAI strains than other birds, from what I understand.

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tp0d t1_iy97jvt wrote

also possible theyre eating poisoned rodents. game comm would still be the one to call

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vitaminklutz OP t1_iy9k3cb wrote

That was also my worry, though I wasn’t sure if there was anything they could do - I’m calling them after work. They’re beautiful creatures and I want to do my part to keep them safe

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kesi t1_iycupdm wrote

I've seen these but assumed it was the bigger birds killing them. There's been a big raptor flying around north squirrel hill.

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vitaminklutz OP t1_iyd0l3g wrote

Oh no, I haven’t seen it! I called the game commission just in case, they seem to be falling from trees which is why I worried it may be the flu or poison. I’ll definitely keep an eye out though :(

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PolyDipsoManiac t1_iydegk1 wrote

Probably the circulating, highly pathogenic avian influenza. Don’t handle any sick or dead birds.

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