The new, alarming bird flu spreading among American birds may be here to stay

The new bird flu has infected wild birds in the United States. This could spell trouble for poultry farmers, who have tried their best to manage this flu epidemic in their flocks.

The virus has already claimed the lives of 24 million birds, including turkeys and chickens. This bird flu epidemic is not like the one that occurred seven years ago.

This is because the flu virus can be passed on to poultry farms by wild birds. Some waterfowl are able to carry the virus long distances, even though chickens and turkeys can quickly become ill and die.

Scientists believe this virus was brought to North America by wild migratory birds a few months back. More than 40 wild bird varieties from more than 30 states have been positive since then. This strain of bird flu virus has been found in all species, from crows and pelicans to bald eagles.