The Carbon County Environmental Education Center is taking steps to protect its birds and others against the highly pathogenic avian influenza, or bird flu.

Due to recently reported outbreaks of the virus, officials from the center on East White Bear Drive are asking folks to call before bringing in any sick or injured animals.

“We are in the migration pathway and it’s not unusual for us to hear — or for anybody to hear and see — flocks of birds overhead,” explained Susan Gallagher, the center’s chief naturalist. “As the snow geese are moving, we’re hearing word of many sick or dead snow geese.”

Gallagher said that the center is concerned that as the birds are migrating, the virus is migrating, too.

“We just have to be vigilant when these things are moving around out there,” she said.

On Thursday, the Pennsylvania Game Commission reported that bird flu is suspected to have caused the deaths of about 200 snow geese found Monday in the Lehigh Valley.

Dead birds were recovered from two sites, one in Lower Nazareth Township in Northampton County and another in Upper Macungie Township in Lehigh County. Preliminary in-state testing indicated the presence of highly pathogenic bird flu. While results are yet to be confirmed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the flu is presumed to be the cause of these mortality events. The situation is ongoing as sick wild birds were also observed at both locations, the game commission noted.

In addition, the Delaware Department of Natural Resources recently reported that between 40 and 50 snow geese, many at a wildlife refuge near Milton, have tested “presumptive positive” for avian flu. Officials estimate that up to 300 birds could be infected.

“A total count of sick birds cannot be confirmed because wild birds often get sick and die where the public cannot see them. Snow geese fly long distances, which means infected geese may die in other locations and transmit the virus to other birds, including poultry,” the Delaware department reported.

Pennsylvania is often a stopover site on the birds’ flight paths.

With that in mind, Gallagher said those who find a sick or injured bird should contact the center.

“If they call us, we can always give them advice,” she said. “Not all birds seem to be affected in the same way, so we are especially cautious about wild waterfowl — things like snow geese or smaller ducks.”

The center is also cautious about birds of prey.

“They might be feeding on sick or dying waterfowl — so raptors seem to be affected by it,” Gallagher said.

The virus is shed through all excretions and infected birds can exhibit neurological signs, such as swimming or walking in circles, holding their heads in an unnatural position, and shaking, seizing, and having difficulty flying, according to the Pennsylvania Game Commission.

Gallagher noted that many have contacted the center about song birds, wondering whether they should remove feeders from their yards.

“I don’t think that is a concern,” she said.

Still, the center recommends that feeders frequently be cleaned and disinfected.

To do so, the National Wildlife Health Center recommends cleaning it with a solution of nine parts water to one part bleach. Visible debris should be removed before it is soaked in the bleach solution. Dry out the feeder before hanging it back up.

“But if there’s anything that we’ve learned from COVID, it’s that as more information becomes available, the science of this tends to self-correct,” Gallagher said. “So you have to stay abreast of it, you have to stay current.”

While the internet can be a helpful tool, Gallagher said folks should look to reputable sources if they have questions or concerns about bird flu.

In its Wednesday Facebook post about the bird flu, the center listed additional information from sources like the Centers for Disease Control and Cornell University.

The center remains open for regular business hours but anyone who frequents areas with poultry or waterfowl, is asked to refrain from visiting its boardwalk where many of its ambassador birds live.

Gallagher said the center’s protocols change frequently, and those with questions should call 570-645-8597.

“We’re hoping that things will calm down but migration is a long season,” Gallagher said.

Those encountering sick or dead wild birds can also report them to the Pennsylvania Game Commission by calling 1-833-742-9453, emailing pgc-wildlifehealth@pa.gov or using the online Wildlife Health Survey tool.