According to a post by the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission,

"In late May, biologists began to receive reports of sick and dying songbirds in Washington D.C., Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, and Kentucky. Infected birds appear to be lethargic and/or have crusty or swollen eyes. More recently additional states have been included, and our agency has begun receiving reports of sick and dying birds which may be due to the new disease.

To reduce the spread of this outbreak, we recommend:

- Remove bird feeders entirely until the threat subsides. At this time natural food sources are abundant.
- Clean feeders and birdbaths FREQUENTLY with a 10% bleach solution. Rinse with water and allow to dry before refilling.
- Consider native plantings as a healthier, safer alternative to feeders. You can find a list of plants native to your area from the Audubon Society.
- Avoid handling sick or dead birds. If moving a bird is necessary, use gloves or an inverted plastic bag to prevent direct contact with it.
- Keep pets (including pet birds) away from sick or dead wild birds.

If you find dead birds, email hwi@ncwildlife.org with a photo of the dead bird(s), including date found and location. Report sick birds to a licensed rehabilitator."

As the N.C. Cooperative Extension of Henderson County office gets further information on this emerging issue, we will update this article.