Bird flu confirmed in waterfowl in Woodstock, ‘numerous locations’ in Illinois

Bird flu has been reported in Woodstock-area birds and waterfowl, the city said Friday.

The city posted on its Facebook page that there are confirmed reports of waterfowl affected by “highly pathogenic avian influenza” in Woodstock and around the region.

The city’s announcement comes as state officials announced in a Friday news release that they’re looking into “a large event of waterfowl mortality at numerous locations” throughout the state; test results indicate bird flu is the cause.

According to the release, people who see five or more dead birds in one location should report it to a wildlife biologist at the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. People can find their local wildlife biologist here: wildlifeillinois.org/idnr-district-wildlife-biologist.

Woodstock officials urged people who see dead waterfowl on city property to contact the public works department at 815-338-6118 or pwdept@woodstockil.gov.

People who find dead waterfowl on private property should report it to the IDNR and remove the bird following these U.S. Department of Agriculture guidelines, according to the city:

• Wear disposable gloves and a face mask.
• Place the bird or birds in a garbage bag without expelling air, and then throw the bag out in an outdoor garbage can.
• Don’t touch the bird directly.
• Wash any clothes that come into contact with the birds or their feces.
• Disinfect soles of footwear that comes into contact with bird feces.

There are no confirmed human cases of bird flu in McHenry County, health officials confirmed Friday.

But the state advises anyone who has exposure to sick or dead birds, and then develops flulike symptoms such as fever, cough, sore throat, difficulty breathing, body aches, headaches, eye redness, vomiting or diarrhea, to notify their local health department, seek treatment right away and advise the health care facility of a possible avian flu exposure.

Antivirals can be used to prevent illness after a possible exposure, but treatment must be started within two days.

“While avian influenza generally poses a low risk to the population, it is essential to take the necessary steps to avoid exposure and to seek treatment quickly if you are exposed,” Illinois Department of Public Health Director Dr. Sameer Vohra said in a news release. “We encourage all Illinoisans to follow the advice of the experts at IDNR in order to avoid contact with sick birds and to take any potential exposure seriously. These common-sense steps can help reduce the likelihood of spreading this illness.”