Community Corner

Redwood City Responds to 'Duck Flu' Outbreak

The disease does not affect humans, however, caution is urged if handling sick or dead birds.

[Editor's Note: The following information was received by Patch from the City of Redwood City, and is reprinted here.]

Hello everyone,

As you probably learned through widespread media coverage, approximately 200 ducks at the popular Redwood Shores bird watching pond located at 1400 Radio Road have died as a result of Avian Cholera, a disease that affects bird wildlife. We wanted to reiterate a few key points with you about this unsettling natural occurrence.

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The South Bayside System Authority (SBSA), the agency that oversees the pond that uses recycled water from its wastewater treatment facility, needs to drain the pond in order to prevent further spread of Avian Cholera to other birds.

Here is a brief recap of some key statements shared by the SBSA and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service....

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  • Wildlife agencies suggest that in people, the risk of disease from avian cholera is very low. However, residents are advised to take precautions if they choose to handle any birds found sick or dead.

  • As noted, the pond will need to be drained to prevent further spread of the bird disease to other avian wildlife. It has been reported that the pond will need to dry out at least a few months before refilling.

  • The SBSA has been spreading the word that as they methodically drain the pond, odors from the exposed bird excrement will occur. The SBSA team will do all that they can to prevent the intensity of the smell, including bringing in large equipment to deal with the bird droppings at the bottom of the pond. With the wind and unseasonable higher temperature, residents in Redwood Shores will likely experience the smell.

  • If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the SBSA team that is actively working to stop the spread of the disease through the Redwood Shores pond. The SBSA can be reached at 650.591.7121 or info@sbsa.org.



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