Bald eagles are latest bird flu victims

Among the latest victims of the bird flu outbreak sweeping the country: the national bird of the United States.

Bald eagles in 14 states died after contracting bird flu, and eagles in another two states are suspected of falling ill with highly pathogenic avian influenza, according to data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. In total, 36 bald eagles have died since February.

The Georgia Department of Natural Resources reported Thursday three bald eagles in the state that died recently tested positive for the bird flu virus. Others also will be tested.

Officials said recent aerial surveys of eagle nests on Georgia’s coast revealed several failed nests, including eaglets dead or missing when they normally wouldn’t have left the nest yet. Bob Sargent, program manager with the department’s wildlife conservation section, said nest success is down about 30% this year.

On April 8, a bald eagle in Milwaukee was found unable to fly. Wildlife rehabilitators collected and cared for the bird in Milwaukee. It was euthanized the next day after its condition deteriorated.

Here are where bald eagles testing positive for the bird flu virus have died, and how many died in each state, according to USDA data as of Thursday: Florida: 9

Georgia: 3

Kansas: 2

Maine: 2

Minnesota: 2

Nebraska: 1

North Carolina: 3

North Dakota: 2

Ohio: 2

Pennsylvania: 1

South Carolina: 3

South Dakota: 3

Vermont: 3

Wisconsin: 1

Tens of millions of domestic and wild birds have died or were euthanized as a result of the disease, which is especially deadly to domestic poultry. It has been detected in 32 states as of Saturday.