Expert: Avoid salmonella by cleaning bird feeders

BLACKSBURG — A wildlife expert is urging Virginia residents to clean and sanitize their backyard feeders following a salmonella outbreak linked to a rise in songbird deaths in several states.

A number of songbird deaths have been reported in Virginia, particularly in the western and southwestern parts of the state, said Jim Parkhurst, an associate professor of wildlife at Virginia Tech’s College of Natural Resources.

Parkhurst says salmonella occurs in wildlife in regular cycles.

Researchers have reported salmonella-related bird deaths throughout the Southeast. Birds normally carry some salmonella bacteria in their digestive tracks, and periods of stress such as cold weather or food shortages can weaken their systems.