Riverside Park bird flu outbreak confirmed - Avoid dead birds
- Media Logic Radio
- 6 hours ago
- 1 min read
City of Fort Morgan officials are warning the public after confirming a bird flu outbreak at Riverside Park.
In a Facebook post on Tuesday, December 16, the city said sick and dead birds had been reported in the park and urged residents not to handle them due to the risk of transmission.
The warning follows a release from Colorado Parks and Wildlife, which says migrating birds moving through Colorado in late fall and winter may carry highly pathogenic avian influenza, also known as HPAI.
CPW says waterfowl and shorebirds are especially vulnerable because they gather in large numbers around bodies of water, increasing the spread of the virus.
Officials say a strain known as H5N1 has been present in North America since 2021 and was confirmed in Colorado in 2022. There is no treatment for infected birds.
Symptoms can include birds moving slowly, swimming in circles, inability to fly, lack of coordination, head tilting, swollen heads, or birds found dead.
CPW reports fewer than 20 birds, along with one black bear and one bobcat, have tested positive statewide this fall, though officials say that number is likely an underestimate.
Pet owners are urged to keep dogs and cats away from sick or dead wildlife. Human infections are extremely rare.
Anyone seeing sick or dead birds should contact Colorado Parks and Wildlife and avoid direct contact.
