Flock of geese found in Barton died from avian flu

MONTPELIER, Vt. (WCAX) - Vermont Fish and Wildlife officials have confirmed that avian flu was responsible for the death of 21 geese at Crystal Lake State Park in Barton last month.

Now, as a precaution, the state is testing dead birds found in a group of five or more just to be sure nothing else is killing them. While it’s rare for people to catch bird flu, the department’s David Sausville says people should still avoid dead animals and practice good hygiene.

“If you have backyard flocks, biosecurity is the situation. If you have ponds where you are intermingling your backyard birds with wild birds, that’s not recommended, Please secure them into a pen and keep them separated,” Sausville said.

He says they do not know of any bird flu spread in that area following these cases.

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