Outbreak of highly contagious bird flu waning, but threat of virus lingers
DAVID PITT
Associated Press
Updated
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Some farmers are wondering whether it's OK that eggs sold as free-range come from chickens being kept inside to protect them from a highly infectious bird flu.
Charlie Neibergall, Associated Press
The highly pathogenic avian flu has led to the culling of millions of poultry and other birds around the nation.
A bird flu outbreak in the U.S. that led to the deaths of more than 40 million chickens and turkeys and contributed to a spike in egg and meat prices appears to be waning, but experts caution the virus hasn’t disappeared and worry another surge could take hold this fall.
When a pair of bald eagles made a nest in the lakeside Milwaukee neighborhood of Bay View, the community was thrilled. One or both eagles used to sit in Sue Gradus' tall tree overlooking the lake. "It was just amazing because he's close enough," she said. "You don't expect it in the city." But the female fell ill and wildlife officials had to rescue her when she was found beneath her nest. The next day she had to be euthanized because of her deteriorating condition and later tested positive for avian influenza. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service says this new avian influenza strain has been found in 34 states, with eagles affected in at least 17. Officials say it's more widespread and affecting more wild bird species than during the last outbreak in 2015.
Some farmers are wondering whether it's OK that eggs sold as free-range come from chickens being kept inside to protect them from a highly infectious bird flu.
