CLARENDON COUNTY, S.C. — The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) is investigating suspected bird flu-related die-offs in three counties.
Officials said that, over the last two weeks, SCDNR and USDA officials had received numerous calls concerning an apparent die-off of wood ducks in waterfowl impoundments and river swamps in Clarendon, Colleton and Williamsburg counties.
"Preliminary testing indicates two of these die-off events can be attributed to highly pathogenic Eurasian H5 avian influenza (HPAI)," SCDNR said in a statement.
Officials are still awaiting the results of tests on other die-off sites to confirm their official cause. SCDNR said hunters should be aware of the virus even though it's considered a low risk to people. The virus can be dangerous to poultry - a significant industry in South Carolina.
The SCDNR shared a complete list of tips for hunters to help prevent the spread of the virus from wild birds.
