Bird Flu Apparently Found in Goslings in Columbia Park
(Kennewick, WA) -- The Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife says they have preliminarily found the Avian Influenza H5N1 virus in two goslings who reside at the Children's Fishing Pond in Columbia Park in Kennewick. The agency says other goslings have shown symptoms of the disease. Over the weekend, WDFW received many reports of sick goslings at the Columbia Park pond and calls from people trying to capture and treat the sick birds. WDFW asks that members of the public do NOT touch sick wildlife, but instead report it to the agency, which says there is no treatment for bird flu, and taking the birds away for help could spread the illness. People who have had contact with sick birds, are advised to check with their local health district as a precaution. There is very little risk of humans contracting bird flu, but handling the animals could expose you to other illnesses