Bald Eagle Deaths Rise as Bird Flu Continues to Spread Across the United States

Bird flu continues to ravage the population of wild birds across the US since the year began.

Latest developments indicate that even members of the bald eagle species have been greatly affected by the growing pathogenic disease.

Threat to US Wild Birds

(Photo : Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

Bald eagles, the national birds of the US, have died from bird flu in 14 states across the country.

Since February, the death toll has reached a total of 36 bald eagles being killed by the bird flu, as per the data provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

Based on the USDA data as of April 13, the following states have recorded confirmed cases of the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) or H5N1 amongst wild birds:

Colorado - 15
North Dakota - 35
South Dakota - 44
Nebraska - 7
Kansas - 19
Oklahoma - 1
Minnesota - 6
Iowa - 25
Missouri - 32
Wyoming - 6
Illinois - 7
Michigan - 11
Indiana - 1
Ohio - 29
Kentucky - 14
Tennessee - 7
Alabama - 1
Florida - 62
Georgia - 11
North Carolina - 143
South Carolina - 27
Virginia - 4
Maryland - 1
Delaware - 9
Pennsylvania - 1
New Jersey - 21
Connecticut - 32
Massachusetts - 13
New York - 16
Vermont - 3
New Hampshire - 54
Maine - 8

The geographical data shows that most of the eastern half of the US has already recorded cases of bird flu.

Due to the rate and pattern of infection, the virus is likely to spread in other states across the Continental US.

It must also be noted that aside from the bald eagle, the Avian Influenza has also infected other species of wild birds, including mallard, snowy owl, Canada goose, Tundra swan, Cooper's hawk, and American green-winged teal.

Also Read: 29,000 Turkeys Killed to Prevent a Highly Pathogenic Strain of Bird Flu in the U.S.

Increased Infection Rate

Since January, the USDA detected the deadly avian virus strain H5N1 from tens of millions of domestic and commercial flock across the country, notably on the East Coast, Midwest, and South.

As a result, local authorities killed approximately 27 million chickens and turkeys to prevent the spread of the virus, as cited by NBC News.

Despite the growing infection rate, health authorities reportedly claim that there is a low risk of animal to human transmission.

Bird Flu: Origin and Symptoms

The CDC emphasized that bird flu viruses do not usually infect humans, but there have been rare cases where a person gets infected by the Avian Influenza. Humans can get infected if the virus enters the body either through the eyes, nose, or inhalation.

The symptoms of the virus when it comes to humans may range from asymptomatic to mild illnesses, such as eye infection or respiratory problems, as well as severe symptoms like pneumonia, which can result in death, says the CDC.

H5N1 was first detected amongst humans in Hong Kong back in 1997 when it started by infecting chickens first in a case of zoonotic disease, as per the New Hampshire's Bureau of Infectious Disease Control.

Rising Egg and Poultry Prices

The H5N1's impact on the country's agricultural industry, especially amongst livestock products, are purportedly imminent.

The public should expect a 6% to 7% increase in the price of poultry products and a 2.5% to 3.5% increase for eggs from grocery stores, as per USA Today.

This is due to the current scarcity of the previously abundant poultry products prior to the bird flu outbreak, as health authorities had to make tough decisions on separating the healthy products from the infected ones.