State health officials investigating rash of dead geese in Pottawatomie County

Officials with the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks are investigating several occurrences of ill and dying wild geese in Pottawatomie County.

Local Health Officer Leslie Campbell informed county commissioners Monday the state officials are investigating the cause and have taken samples of why those geese are dying.

It’s not clear if these cases are tied to the current outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza, but Campbell says that is the fear from state officials.

Test results should be completed before the end of the week. Cases of avian influenza have been confirmed in nine Kansas counties this year including neighboring Shawnee County in late October from a non-commercial backyard operation.