Dead birds wash up on Lake Michigan shore; bird flu concerns rise | 9 Feb 2024 | Concerns over bird flu are spreading. Dead birds are lining the Lake Michigan shoreline in Chicago. The Illinois Department of Natural Resources said the incident is likely linked to the ongoing avian flu outbreak. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources reported an uptick in the highly pathogenic avian influenza. "Closer to Milwaukee we understand there are reports of dead ducks that have washed up. Most in Milwaukee County, a few near Racine and Kenosha," said Jasmine Batten, DNR Wildlife Health Section Supervisor. The DNR said a confirmed case was detected in Racine County.