Large number of dead geese found in Reykjavik: “Very scary”
Gunnar Þór Hallgrímsson, a professor of zoology, found 19 dead greylag geese in Vatnsmýri in Reykjavík yesterday.
There is every chance that bird flu killed the geese.
Calls the incident very scary
“We were there on those errands looking for dead geese and have received reports in recent days that an unusually large number of birds were dead there. In short, the situation was much worse than one could imagine,” Hallgrímsson says.
"It was very disturbing to see 19 dead geese in a relatively small area and also many sick ones that were still circling around."
19 dead geese were found dead from bird flu in Vatnsmýri yesterday. Many are also sick and in poor condition. Photo/Gunnar Þór Hallgrímsson
First outbreak in the city
The first cases of bird flu occurred in this country in 2021 and there was some infection in 2022, but according to Hallgrímsson, this seems to be a serious outbreak now.
"This is the first time we have had a clear outbreak inside the city. We have found birds inside the city before, but not so many before. It is always miserable to see a bird die of this illness."
He says that infection can spread between bird species, but for some reason geese are more likely to be infected now.
“The virus is always mutating and it is also happening that the genetic material of the virus is always changing as different genetic materials of bird flu are coming together. That may affect how it affects different types of birds.”
Afraid of getting infected
Hallgrímsson checked the birds yesterday with his son.
Aren’t you afraid of getting infected?
“Yes, we are, but the thing is that you always wear gloves and we take the utmost care. He doesn’t touch the birds but gives me a bag and stays away. Then I put the bird in two bags and alcohol before I put a label inside. This is starting to be found in mammals more often than before and you shouldn't be picking on the birds, but I do it because I have experience in this treatment.”
According to Hallgrímsson, three of the birds showed signs of injuries from seagulls or ravens.
“That's exactly the danger. That this can be spread that way.”