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Experts baffled as unknown disease makes thousands of birds suddenly fall dead

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Thousands of birds in the United States have been infected with deadly illness causing head infections and neurological issues that leave them unable to fly or walk.

As a consequence of experts’ inability to identify the disease, many have died, possibly indicating the emergence of a new disease. In April, the illness initially emerged in Washington, DC. It has been found in Ohio and Indiana as it travels west throughout North America.

Birds with the disease are said to have enlarged eyes, crusty cheeks, and are unable to fly or move.

The animals have been examined for a variety of illnesses, including Avian Flu, but no one knows what it is.

Experts believe that the advent of Brood-X cicadas in certain areas of America is linked to the discovery of dead birds.

They speculate that the insects are transmitting an unknown illness by being eaten or just coming into touch with one another.

Pet owners have been advised to keep their animals away from dead birds for fear of the disease spreading across species.

Experts in the United States have also advised people who have bird feeders in their garden to remove them since they could be disease carriers.

They also recommend washing them in a mild bleach solution to eliminate any illness residues on the feeder before re-using it.

It seems that the disease only affects specific kinds of birds, which makes it even more concerning.

According to the University of Pennsylvania, the primary species affected by the deadly disease include Blue Jays, Common Grackles, European Starlings, and American Robins.

Experts baffled as unknown disease makes thousands of birds suddenly fall dead
American Robins. Image Credit: Getty

Some experts have dubbed the situation the “East Songbird Epidemic.”

Blue Jays Image Credit: Getty
Common Grackles Image Credit: Getty
European Starlings Image Credit: Getty

Toxicology Professor Lisa Murphy looked at the origin of the disease and said:

“To date, all of the findings have either been inconsistent or inconclusive.”

Casey, a wildlife veterinarian with the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources, said:

“We started noticing an increased number of these birds coming in with crusty eyes.”

State governments have already established reporting systems for anybody who comes across the birds, allowing them to monitor the disease’s progress and clean up the infected birds. 

Large-scale bird extinctions, on the other hand, are not rare, since many birds perish due to a shortage of food or water during the migratory season.

Thousands of birds perished in New Mexico during the migratory season in 2020 due to hunger and poor physical condition after lengthy journeys.

Image Credit: Getty

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