Mysterious Bird Deaths Surge on Chicago’s Lake Michigan Shores Amid Rising Bird Flu Concerns

Chicago, IL — Scores of dead birds have been discovered along the shores of Lake Michigan in Chicago, prompting concerns from wildlife officials and local authorities. Over the past few days, numerous reports have emerged of deceased ducks, red-breasted mergansers, and Canada geese at various local beaches including Oak Street Beach, North Avenue Beach, and Tower Beach in Cook County.

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources suspects that these deaths may be linked to bird flu, a hypothesis supported by an ongoing outbreak. Although none of the birds have yet been tested, officials speculate that the melting ice on Lake Michigan could have contributed to the birds washing ashore in such large numbers.

The Chicago Park District has responded to the situation by deploying staff to monitor the city’s beaches and park lagoons for additional bird casualties. In statements made to local media, the Park District emphasized the precautions being taken to safely remove and dispose of the bird carcasses. They also urged residents and park visitors to keep their dogs leashed and to avoid contact with any remains, while encouraging them to report any sick or dead birds by calling 311.

The potential risk of contamination has led officials to advise the public against handling the affected waterfowl, stressing the importance of leaving the disposal of bird carcasses to professionals. The Illinois Department of Public Health has provided guidelines on how to properly handle such incidents in order to minimize health risks to the community.

This wave of bird fatalities has led to increased vigilance by volunteer groups such as the Chicago Bird Collision Monitors. Starting from last Friday, the group reported receiving between 200 to 300 calls, with observers noting unusually high numbers of dead mergansers across the city, from Hyde Park to Wilmette.

Initial counts by local crews on Monday morning tallied 16 dead birds at 31st Street Beach alone, with additional sightings at 12th Street Beach and Ohio Street Beach. According to Annette Prince, director of the Chicago Bird Collision Monitors, the current incidence of bird flu is unusually severe and differs from previous outbreaks that mainly affected geese and occurred predominantly in suburban areas.

The issue of bird flu extends beyond the local level, with recent reports indicating a problematic mutation of the virus that could potentially lead to human infections. Nationwide, the U.S. Department of Agriculture has reported bird flu cases in 84 different commercial and backyard flocks over the past month, affecting upward of 10.7 million birds.

Although cases in humans remain rare, the possibility of transmission exists primarily among individuals who handle infected birds, such as farmworkers. One such case resulted in the death of an elderly man in Louisiana, underscoring the potential severity of the virus.

Locally, previous outbreaks have led to significant losses, as seen at Kakadoodle Farm in south suburban Matteson, where an outbreak decimated nearly 3,000 hens. Even wildlife has not been spared, with a bald eagle and other animals such as a Chilean flamingo and a harbor seal at Lincoln Park Zoo recently succumbing to the disease.

Authorities, including Dr. Sameer Vohra from the Illinois Department of Public Health, urge caution and advise adherence to safety measures recommended by wildlife experts to minimize risk and prevent the spread of the virus. The situation remains under close observation by state and local agencies tasked with managing the outbreak and safeguarding public health.