MARYLAND – The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has announced the extension of a contract with the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) allowing for the safe disposal of dead wild birds as bird flu cases continue to spread in the region.
Under the contract, USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service provides Maryland with specialized technicians trained to safely eliminate and remove sick or dead wild birds that could be spreading Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza. The $30,000 expansion, announced January 17, will allow for additional staff to assist in dead bird disposal through September.
The announcement comes as bird flu detections continue to spring up on Delmarva. As of Friday, the virus has been at least presumptively detected in seven Delmarva counties: Kent, Sussex (DE), Caroline, Dorchester, Worcester, Queen Anne’s (MD), and Accomack (VA)…