MIDDLETOWN TOWNSHIP, Pa. (WPVI) — Officials in Pennsylvania are continuing to warn residents about a bird flu outbreak as millions of birds have died across the state and as reports expand into southeastern counties.
More than seven million birds have died in Pennsylvania so far this year, with the majority of deaths reported in Lancaster County. Officials say bird deaths have also been reported in Philadelphia and Bucks County.
Warning signs have been posted throughout Lake Luxembourg in Middletown Township, where visitors said they recently noticed the alerts of the outbreak.
Gere Stewart of Newtown said signage caught her attention while walking in the park on Wednesday.
“Don’t feed them, don’t touch the feces, just be really careful. That’s the first thing I saw,” recalled Stewart.
Officials are urging people not to feed birds and to use caution around wildlife, though not everyone appeared to be following those recommendations during a visit to the park. Some residents, however, said they are concerned.
“I haven’t seen anything, but I am an avid kayaker out here, so it does concern me a little bit,” said Dan Dopson of Bristol.
The outbreak is not limited to Pennsylvania. Across the river in Burlington County, New Jersey, more than 1,100 dead or sick birds were reported to New Jersey’s Department of Environmental Protection over a three-day period last month.
Bucks County Parks and Recreation also issued an online advisory about the outbreak, urging people to report sick or dead wildlife.
“Spring is starting, so we have to get prepared, and I’ll be checking out the different signs and keeping my eyes peeled,” Dopson said.
Officials said the best course of action is to stay clear of wildlife, especially animals that appear sick, and to keep pets away as well.
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