The department reported in late December that Canada geese, trumpeter swans and one mallard were reported dead and were “presumed positive” for highly pathogenic avian influenza. Dead wild birds have been reported in 10 Ohio counties, including Montgomery and Warren counties in the Miami Valley.
The ODNR sends samples for testing to the Ohio Department of Agriculture. Samples that receive a presumptive positive result are sent to the National Veterinary Services Laboratory for confirmation.
However, the dead geese found last weekend were not sent for sampling. Factors that determine the ODNR’s decision include whether it is safe to collect a bird, the amount of time that passed since a bird died and whether there already is a presumptive positive case determined by the ODA in the county.
“In this case, samples were not collected because it was unsafe to collect the dead geese from the ice and they had been dead for more than 48 hours,” Cheung said.
Ohioans can report sick or dead wild birds suspected of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) at 800-WILDLIFE (945-3543) or wildohio.gov. The following bird species should be reported:
- Any raptor, such as a bald eagle.
- Waterfowl, such as geese or ducks.
- Any other large congregation of sick or dead birds.
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