The 2022 Avian Flu outbreak is Killing Bald Eagles across the U.S.

Among the latest victims of the bird flu outbreak sweeping across 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 the highly pathogenic avian influenza, or HPAI, according to data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. In total, 36 bald eagles have died since February.  It has been detected in 32 states so far, most recently Utah and Idaho.

Officials said recent aerial surveys of eagle nests on the state’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, Wisconsin, was found unable to fly. Wildlife rehabilitators with the Wisconsin Humane Society collected and cared for the bird in Milwaukee. It was euthanized the next day after its condition deteriorated. Initial test results on the eagle released Friday showed it was “presumed positive” for the virus.

The Georgia Department of Natural Resources reported Thursday that three bald eagles in the state that died recently tested positive for the bird flu virus. Other dead bald eagles also will be tested. The state of Florida has the dubious distinction of the largest loss of Eagles in the U.S., where nine have been confirmed dead due to the virus so far.

Zoos across North America are moving their birds indoors and away from people and wildlife as they try to protect them from the highly contagious and potentially deadly avian influenza. Penguins may be the only birds visitors to many zoos can see right now, because they already are kept inside and usually protected behind glass in their exhibits, making it harder for the bird flu to reach them.

Nearly 23 million chickens and turkeys have already been killed across the United States to limit the spread of the virus, and zoos are working hard to prevent any of their birds from meeting the same fate. It would be especially upsetting for zoos to have to kill any of the endangered or threatened species in their care.

The bird flu is considered a low risk to humans, but Americans are feeling the effects. As USA Today reports, the outbreak is expected to raise the cost of poultry products and eggs this year. Shoppers can expect to pay 6% to 7% more for poultry products and 2.5% to 3.5% for eggs at the grocery store.

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Photo Credit: Petar Marshall / Shutterstock.com