DECATUR, ILL. (WAND) — When a bird contracts bird flu, its last moments are rather quick.

"We see what is called die-offs because these birds get sick and die really rapidly among wild birds," said Dr. Arti Barnes, the Chief Medical Officer for the Illinois Department of Public Health. 

But the effects they leave on the environment, and farmers, can be felt for quite some time.

"When it impacts poultry farms, the price of eggs, the availability of eggs, the availability  of chickens goes up," said Barnes. "It impacts pet food supplies. There have been raw pet food as well as raw milk that we have to warn people against giving their cats, because cats have consumed it and we suspect have acquired bird flu and not survived," said Barnes.

Fortunately humans are not as at risk

"I checked the CDC website, there were 67 human cases there ... That most of them are traced back to ... an animal source," said Robert Davies, the Planning and Resource Director of Champaign-Urbana Public Health Department. 

But it's best to air on the side of caution. 

"The concern is for people who might interact with animals that could be inflicted, making sure that they, you know, are wearing personal protective equipment," said Davies. 

Members of the public are encouraged to report concentrations of five or more deceased birds found at one place to Illinois Department of Natural Resource district wildlife biologists by going online.

Copyright 2025. WAND TV. All rights reserved.