Avian Influenza Update

Earlier this year we shared that a particularly virulent strain of avian influenza is circulating in the US. Recently a case was confirmed in a backyard chicken flock in Carson City. The risk to humans is low, however, there has been one reported case of this strain making the jump to a human in Colorado. For the time being we are not accepting donations of dead birds for our taxidermy collection and we ask if you find a dead bird do not handle it. If would like to report it, contact Nevada Department of Wildlife for further instructions. 

If there is an outbreak is detected in your area, please remove bird feeders and baths until the outbreak has subsided. Additionally, it is good practice to regularly sterilize your bird feeders and baths to avoid outbreaks of any communicable disease in your backyard flock. Check out our article on Salmonella and Responsible Bird Feeding for details on maintaining feeders.