11/10/2023
FYI, very scary stuff. This was posted on my NextDoor page.
My friend lost two of his dogs last week 2 days apart. The vet has no idea why.
PAY ATTENTION PEOPLE AND PEOPLE WITH ANIMALS!! This is NOT in the news and it has been posted all over since yesterday that this is happening but unless you run across it YOU WILL NOT EVEN KNOW. So FYI..... PLEASE READ THIS.
BIRDS ARE DYING ALL AROUND HILLSBORO.
From the Brookwood library: “If you have patrons ask you what we are doing about the sick/dead birds around the ponds behind the library, we have posted information around the library and on signs near the ponds. There is an outbreak of Avian Influenza among the migrating waterfowl. It is widespread all along the Pacific flyway. We are seeing it here in Hillsboro and most recently also at Fernhill in Forest Grove, and I imagine at Jackson Bottom, as the migrating birds stop over on their way south. This highly contagious bird flu has no cure for the birds, once you see them sick it is too late. No, Audubon will NOT take them, nor will any vet. The disease shows no symptoms until the end, when the bird is acting sick it's already too late.
Here's what you need to know:
If you walk the paths around the ponds, DO NOT pick up any sick or dying birds.
Wash the soles of your shoes off when you are done walking the path.
Right now, you should avoid walking your dog on the paths, if you do, don't let them sniff, roll on, or carry around a dead bird. The disease is highly contagious around birds, but has been known to cause illness in mammals. If you do walk your dog on the paths, be sure to wash their feet well, so they don't lick their paws.
If you have neighbors who have backyard chickens, ducks, or geese, do not wear the shoes you walk the paths on, around those birds. Domestic fowl are very much in danger from this bird flu.
Fish and Wildlife, the Department of Agriculture, AND the Dawson Creek Business Park management has been made aware of the situation. I was on the phone with all of them Tuesday and Wednesday.
We've posted information in the library and on the signage near the ponds. For patrons who demand that the library do something, Dawson Creek is NOT a city park, we have no jurisdiction, nor does the City of Hillsboro. The number for Fish and Wildlife is on the signage. Fish and wildlife are getting a press release out this week.
Birds in the area have been tested by Fish and Wildlife and yes, it is Avian flu. It will be an issue for at least this month as the migrating birds go through the area. It's sad, I know, but it's kind of out of our control (human wise)....there is no cure, and there will be loss of life among the birds. So far, I've noticed the cackling geese (look like juvenile Canada geese) and the merganser ducks being the ones sick or dead. “