Wildlife experts dispel avian flu concerns after dead loons found in Sunset Beach
OAK ISLAND, NC (WWAY) — The discovery of several dead loons in Sunset Beach several days ago raised concerns about avian flu possibly affecting the Cape Fear region.
However, Sea Biscuit Wildlife Shelter director Mary Ellen Rogers said the birds are not believed to have died from the disease.
“Loons are also very high-stress animals when people are around so if they came ashore and somebody had a dog for instance, they’d die of a heart attack,” Rogers said. “Loons are very easily stressed. It’s highly unlikely. It’s much more likely that they’re dying of lead poisoning.”
Since the start of the year, the North Carolina Wildlife Commission said 16 wild birds have tested positive for the HPAI strain of avian flu, but none have been found in the Cape Fear.
Of those cases, 6 were green-winged teal ducks, which tend to migrate in large flocks.
Carmen Johnson is a waterbird biologist with the NC Wildlife Resources Commission.
She said birds that travel in flocks are more susceptible.
“We do see a difference in the species that are most likely to contract HPAI,” Johnson said. “So birds like pelicans and gulls and cormorants, they congregate in large flocks and because of that, they’re more likely to contract HPAI than a songbird.”
Rogers said avian flu is seasonal, much like human influenza, and moves south as birds migrate.
“Our temperatures are too hot in the summertime for avian flu to do well down here,” Rogers said. “You know, it’s highly unlikely that birds that are heading north will have avian flu. It’s much more likely that we get it in the summertime or later on in the spring or in the fall when they’re coming down here for the winter.”
Johnson added that of the known cases involving humans who contracted avian flu, those infected worked closely with domesticated birds, like chickens.
Rogers said that if you are on the beach or outside and come across a wild bird in distress or that is dead, do not touch it, but do contact animal control so they can investigate.
