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Authorities warned hunters Thursday to avoid sick or dying birds, particularly around the Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge near Brigham City.
Officials said the refuge is currently experiencing a mild outbreak of avian botulism, a paralytic disease caused by the ingestion of a toxin, mainly affecting waterfowl. Birds that contract the disease are unable to use their wings and legs or control neck or other muscles, officials said. The birds are often mixed in with healthy ones.
While a few cases have been reported in humans, dogs and cats, they are generally resistant to the toxin that affects the birds. As a precaution, the refuge said hunters should not target the sick birds or let their dogs retrieve them while hunting in public areas.
The refuge expects to see the outbreak decrease as temperatures start to drop, but said it could last through October.
Janelle Stecklein