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No Confirmed Cases Of Mystery Bird Illness In Connecticut

Image of a blue jay with an eye crusted shut, affected by the new illness affecting some birds in the Eastern US.
Kelly Chandler
A blue jay affected by the new illness affecting some birds in the Eastern US.

Birds in the Eastern United States have been dying while suffering unusual symptoms recently.

Those symptoms include swollen, crusty eyes, head bobbing, and being unable to stand up.

Speaking on Connecticut Public Radio’s Where We Live, Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Wildlife Biologist Brian Hess says there are usually some bird deaths in the wild this time of year.

Hess says some people may be noticing dead birds for the first time because of the attention drawn to the mysterious bird deaths.

"We don't have any confirmed cases [in Connecticut] at this point, Hess said. "But we have heard of some reports from the public that at least in part do seem to fit some of the patterns."

As a precaution, Hess says people should take down bird feeders.

The birds can come into contact with each other at feeders.

Hess said feeders can contribute to the spread of other diseases if they are not properly cleaned.

Matt Dwyer is an editor, reporter and midday host for Connecticut Public's news department. He produces local news during All Things Considered.

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SOMOS CONNECTICUT es una iniciativa de Connecticut Public, la emisora local de NPR y PBS del estado, que busca elevar nuestras historias latinas y expandir programación que alza y informa nuestras comunidades latinas locales. Visita CTPublic.org/latino para más reportajes y recursos. Para noticias, suscríbase a nuestro boletín informativo en ctpublic.org/newsletters.

The independent journalism and non-commercial programming you rely on every day is in danger.

If you’re reading this, you believe in trusted journalism and in learning without paywalls. You value access to educational content kids love and enriching cultural programming.

Now all of that is at risk.

Federal funding for public media is under threat and if it goes, the impact to our communities will be devastating.

Together, we can defend it. It’s time to protect what matters.

Your voice has protected public media before. Now, it’s needed again. Learn how you can protect the news and programming you depend on.

Connecticut Public’s journalism is made possible, in part by funding from Jeffrey Hoffman and Robert Jaeger.