Migrating snow geese in Worcester County tested positive for bird flu this month, state authorities said, as an outbreak of the disease continues to affect the region, including at several commercial chicken farms.
“In early January, laboratory testing provided preliminary confirmation of Highly Pathogenic H5 Avian Influenza (HPAI) in seven dead snow geese found in Worcester and Dorchester counties,” said Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) spokesman Gregg Bortz in a statement.
Another die-off of birds occurred this week near the South Gate Pond of the Ocean Pines community, according to Ocean Pines Association spokesman Josh Davis.
He said personnel with the U.S. Department of Agriculture on Tuesday and Wednesday collected the carcasses of several deceased wildfowl, including eight domestic geese, four Canada geese, two vultures, two common mergansers, a sea gull, a grackle, and a cormorant. All are scheduled to be tested for avian influenza.