LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) — A pond in Williamston has been plagued with useless geese and now officers say it’s suspected to be brought on by chicken flu.
“We’ve been seeing avian influenza pop up again this time of year since December in just localized areas,” says Julie Melotti, a wildlife pathologist with the Michigan Division of Pure Sources. “But since the outbreak in 2022, we pretty much know we have it statewide.”
Melotti says an outbreak of avian flu in wild animals was detected in Michigan final month, the primary time since 2022.
Ryan Mackillop, a girl who lives close to the pond has been on the lookout for solutions, saying she’s annoyed.
“Why is it that we had to escalate to you in order to get some response, because we still haven’t heard from the DNR since I initially started my contact I think on the 15th or 16th,” says Mackillop.
The DNR says it takes time to correctly check the birds, however Mackillop is apprehensive that home animals might get sick if they’re uncovered to the chicken flu.
“People with outdoor animals such as indoor-outdoor cats, I think that there needs to be a word of caution to everybody about the way that they’re interacting with their animals outside because of the risk this presents,” says Mackillop.
Consultants say to maintain your pets away from contaminated animals, particularly your cats.
“There have been some cases of domestic cats becoming ill and dying, but just know that cats could be susceptible, so it’s recommended to keep cats indoors,” says Melotti.
Though Melotti understands the general public’s concern, she says these outbreaks should not completely sudden.
“We kinda thought we might see another round of this go through wildlife, so it wasn’t completely unexpected. I think it’s concerning any time the public sees multiple dead birds in a location. It’s unusual, right?” says Melotti.
The DNR says in case you see six or extra useless birds, it is best to contact them by an app known as Eyes within the Area.
