A presumptive positive case of avian influenza (bird flu) has been detected in a deceased juvenile bald eagle at George Washington Birthplace National Monument. The eagle was discovered at the park on January 4, and the United States Geological Survey National Wildlife Health Center received the eagle for evaluation.
Bird flu was detected upon initial testing and samples were forwarded to the United States Department of Agriculture National Veterinary Services Laboratories for confirmatory testing. Any updates will be posted to the park website and through social media channels.
Park officials are continuing to monitor the park for sick or dead animals and will submit additional specimens for testing, if needed. Visitors to the park are encouraged to report any sightings of sick or dead animals to park employees, especially over the next several weeks.
Bird flu infections in people are uncommon, but visitors should keep a safe distance from all wildlife and avoiding touching or picking up sick or dead wildlife. In addition, the Park Service recommends that visitors avoid touching surfaces or materials visibly contaminated with saliva, mucus, or feces from birds or other animals and washing hands after touching surfaces and prior to eating. Visitors should also keep their pets leashed and away from sick or dead wildlife.
According to the Center for Disease Control, since 2024 there have been 71 confirmed human cases of bird flu and two deaths. However, most cases resulted from exposure to dairy cattle and poultry farms, not wild birds.
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