Pestilence: Over 200 Birds at the Baker’s Lake Forest Preserve in Illinois, Have Died From an Outbreak of H5 Avian Flu

As a preventative step against flu, people should avoid direct contact with wild birds and only view them from a safe distance, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Even if they do not seem unwell, wild birds may carry the avian influenza virus.

Avoid unprotected contact with ill or dead domestic birds (poultry)... "Do not contact surfaces that may be contaminated with wild or domestic bird saliva, mucus, or excrement," the agency says.

HNewsWire:An epidemic of H5 avian flu is thought to have killed over 200 birds in the Baker's Lake Forest preserve in Illinois.

Laboratory examinations at the University of Illinois Urban-Champaign verified the flu epidemic. The federal government performed further tests, with wildlife biologists from the Forest Preserves of Cook County delivering seven cormorants for testing and necropsy to state pathologists on April 7. Staff members are monitoring forest preserve sites for symptoms of flu, but no illnesses have been detected at any of the locations.

According to Chris Anchor, wildlife scientist with the Forest Preserve District of Cook County, who spoke to NBC Chicago, the avian flu afflicting Baker's Lake Forest Reserve is the same one that is causing "huge death offs" in the chicken sector throughout North America. He cautioned that the enormous fatalities at Baker's Lake suggest a change in viral behavior.

This signals a substantial shift in the virus's behavior. Until now, we've only observed groups of two, three, or a half-dozen birds fall to it. "In this case, we literally have hundreds of birds that have died as a result of it," he said.

"There are millions of birds migrating from south to north, and in locations like this, they may get sick and spread the virus."

This year, the virus has killed millions of chickens and turkeys bred on commercial farms across many states. Two outbreaks have been recorded in Illinois, in Carol and McLean counties.

The illness is thought to be transmitted via the droppings of wild birds such as geese and ducks. The flu was discovered in Indiana for the first time in February. The virus was discovered in the nation for the first time since 2000.

Baker's Lake preserve is home to one of the Midwest's most important heron rookeries. So yet, only waterfowl and aquatic birds have been affected by avian flu.

Passerines, or perching birds such as sparrows, singers, and finches, have not been infected with the flu. As a consequence, the Forest Preserves does not advocate removing bird-feeders since they may transmit illness.