Bird illness continues to baffle experts. See story below.
Troopers investigate theft of several items from Charleston Township home….experts probe bird illness.. 11.3 million vaccines administered in PA…… https://soundcloud.com/gerri-miller-611294886/black-forest-broadcasting-podcast-july-16-2021
Thursday’s high, 83; Overnight low, 69
FRI- THUNDERSTORMS, HIGH 83
FRI-NIGHT-THUNDERSTORMS, LOW 66
SAT-SCATTEREDVTHUNDERSTORMS, HIGH 84
RAIN, LOW 65
SUN-SCATTERED HUNDERSTORSM HIGH 77
SUN NIGHT-SCATTERED THUNDERSTORMS, 62
State police at Mansfield are investigating a burglary occurring June 18 at a home on the Arnot Road in Charleston Township. Thieves made off with a Stihl MS211 Chainsaw valued at $700. A Johnsered Chainsaw valued at $300, miscellaneous chainsaw chains valued at $100 and two gallons of gasoline valued at $7.00. The items were owned by Susan Knapp of Wellsboro…
Nestling and fledgling songbirds – mainly blue jays, starlings, and common grackles, but also robins and cardinals – have been found with ocular and neurologic issues, and in some cases these birds have been found dead in large numbers. Cases have been reported from TN, KY, VA, WV, MD, DE, IN, OH, FL, and recently from PA (see update below).
The Pennsylvania Game Commission is recommending that people cease feeding birds until this event is resolved. There is no official moratorium.
UPDATE July 8, 2021, Wildlife Futures received 1,679 public reports through our WFP online bird mortality portal. This includes 1,525 unique bird reports in Pennsylvania. Here’s a breakdown Game Commission regions:
Reports received from PA include:
56 reports from 8 of the 10 Northcentral Region counties
135 reports from 12 of the 13 Northeast Region counties
60 reports from 8 of the 10 Northwest Region counties
233 reports from 12 of the 12 Southcentral Region counties
783 reports from 12 of the 12 Southeast Region counties
239 reports from 10 of the 10 Southweat Region counties
Among these Pennsylvania reports, they estimate that roughly 25-30% (approximately 500) are likely associated with the current songbird mortality event. To date, the songbird morbidity/mortality event appears to be targeting fledgling common grackles, blue jays, European starlings, and American robins. Affected songbirds are presenting with eye swelling and crusty discharge, along with neurological signs. While an exact cause has not been identified and diagnostics are ongoing, the following pathogens have been ruled out: Salmonella, Chlamydia, avian influenza virus, West Nile virus, Newcastle disease virus, herpesviruses, poxviruses, and Trichomonas parasites. There are no new developments on the diagnostics side, with multiple test results still pending at New Bolton Center and Penn State’s Animal Diagnostic Laboratory.
What You Can Do
- Report occurrences online: https://www.vet.upenn.edu/research/centers-laboratories/research-initiatives/wildlife-futures-program.Opens In A New Window
- Cease feeding birds until this wildlife mortality event has concluded
- Clean feeders and bird baths with a 10% bleach solution
- Avoid handling birds, but wear disposable gloves if handling is necessary
- Keep pets away from sick or dead birds as a standard precaution
The Pennsylvania Department of Health today confirmed that as of 12:00 a.m., Thursday, July 15, there were 425 additional positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 1,215,352.
CAMERON-216
ELK-1583
McKEAN-2922
POTTER-1073
TIOGA 2608
ALLEGANY-3565
CATTARAUGUS-5735
There are 245 individuals hospitalized with COVID-19. Of that number, 48 patients are in the intensive care unit with COVID-19. More data is available here.
The trend in the 14-day moving average number of hospitalized patients continues to drop. The full 14-day moving average since the start of the pandemic can be found here.
Statewide percent positivity for the week of July 2 – July 8 stood at 1.2%.
As of 11:59 p.m. Wednesday, July 14, there were 10 new deaths identified by the Pennsylvania death registry, reported for a total of 27,782 deaths attributed to COVID-19. County-specific information and a statewide map are available on the COVID-19 Data Dashboard.
- According to the CDC, as of Wednesday, July 14, Pennsylvania ranks 5th among all 50 states for total doses administered.
- According to the CDC, as of Wednesday, July 14, 61.4% of Pennsylvanians age 18 and older are fully vaccinated and the state ranks 20th among all 50 states for second doses administered by percentage of population.
Vaccine providers have administered 11,374,872 total vaccine doses as of Thursday, July 15.
5,584,718 people are fully vaccinated; with a seven-day moving average of more than 11,700 people per day receiving vaccinations.
The department continues to urge Pennsylvanians to follow CDC for wearing a mask where required by law, rule and regulations, including healthcare, local business and workplace guidance. For the protection of themselves and others, individuals who have not yet been vaccinated or are partially vaccinated, are still encouraged to wear a mask when in public.
In licensed nursing and personal care homes, there have been a total of 72,109 resident cases of COVID-19 to date, and 15,583 cases among employees, for a total of 87,692 at 1,599 distinct facilities in all 67 counties.
Approximately 29,112 of total cases have been among health care workers.
- All Pennsylvanians age 12 and older are eligible to schedule a COVID-19 vaccine. Use Vaccine Finder to find a COVID-19 vaccine provider near you.
- A commonwealth COVID-19 vaccination guide explains the current process for getting one. Pennsylvanians with questions about the vaccination process can call the Department of Health hotline at 1-877-724-3258.