Health Agencies Issue Warning After Avian Flu Is Discovered in Several Parks in Southern Nevada

LAS VEGAS – The Nevada Department of Wildlife reports that HPAI, or highly pathogenic avian influenza, has been detected in the state’s free-flying bird population in Southern Nevada.

Two Canadian geese found dead in Sunset Park tested positive for the disease, joining a group of domestic and wild geese that had shown signs of the illness.

In a Facebook post, Clark County warned dog owners that their pets could contract the virus if they ate infected birds, but that humans were at low risk of contracting it.

To stop the spread of the disease, Clark County Parks & Recreation will patrol the Sunset Park pond, removing any deceased geese and conducting a power washing of the walkways.

Visitors to the park were asked by the county not to feed the pond’s avian residents. Warning signs regarding bird flu have been placed around the pond.

After being discovered in the United States for the first time in December 2021, the Department of Agriculture confirmed in September that HPAI was present in wild bird populations in Nevada. In July of 2022, in Carson City, the virus was discovered for the first time in Nevada by the United States Department of Agriculture and the Nevada Department of Agriculture.

The Nevada Department of Wildlife issued a statement reminding all hunters to only take birds that look healthy, to use gloves and eye protection when cleaning birds, to wash their hands afterward, and to cook all game to 165 degrees before consuming.

Credits: Review Journal