The disorder is marked by swollen eyes with a crusty discharge, and erratic flight and stumbling.
By Frank Kummer (Philadelphia Inquirer)
A group of songbirds recently turned up dead in Nottingham, Chester County.
But their cause of death is a mystery for scientists, wildlife officials, and bird lovers. Scores of similar bird deaths have been reported in 27 Pennsylvania counties, including Philadelphia, since June. And more and more deaths have been logged in Delaware and eight other states and Washington, stretching back to April.
Officials and wildlife experts are stumped by the illness and deem the rash of deaths unusual. They are pleading with the public to stop feeding birds from feeders and providing water in birdbaths until the cause is found, as they believe congregating birds may contribute to the malady’s spread.
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The illness is killing a range of species, all of which have been found with ocular and neurological issues. The disorder is marked by swollen eyes with a crusty discharge, and erratic flight and stumbling.
Officials say cases have been reported in Tennessee, Kentucky, Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, Indiana, Ohio, and Florida.
Lisa Murphy, a veterinarian and associate professor at Penn’s School of Veterinary Medicine, called the illness “worrisome.” She is co-director of Penn’s Wildlife Futures Program and director of the Pennsylvania Diagnostic Laboratory System at New Bolton Center in Kennett Square, Chester County. The lab has been performing autopsies and toxicology tests on affected birds and is coordinating with labs and wildlife centers in other states.
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