Affected birds were first reported in Washington, DC, and have since been reported across the eastern United States including the Mid-Atlantic region, extending south to Tennessee and possibly Florida, west to Indiana, and north into Pennsylvania.

Many agencies over a multi-state area are continuing to work with diagnostic laboratories to investigate the cause of mortality, including:

• Wildlife Futures Program
• USGS National Wildlife Health Center
• University of Georgia Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study
• Multiple state and independent diagnostic laboratories

• Although this mortality event is winding down, birds do congregate at feeders and bird baths and one sick bird with any type of infection could potentially spread disease at these locations. With that in mind, we recommend:

• Resume feeding birds, but clean feeders and bird baths with soap and water, then disinfect with a 10% household bleach solution. After allowing 10 minutes of contact time, rinse with clean water and allow to air dry. Cleaning and disinfection should be done at a minimum weekly basis or more frequently when soiled to prevent potential spread of any infectious diseases between birds and other wildlife, as well as remove spoiled food.

• When feeding birds, follow scientific and expert recommendations such as those listed by the Audubon Society: Audubon Guide to Bird Feeding (sfvaudubon.org)

• If you are looking for additional wildlife resources, please visit Pennsylvania Association of Wildlife Rehabilitators.
• Check the USGS National Wildlife Health Center website National Wildlife Health Center - News (usgs.gov) for nation-wide updates.
• Return to this website (www.vet.upenn.edu/wildlife-futures) for updates on this songbird mortality event and other news regarding wildlife health.