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Bird Flu Not To Blame For Pullen Park's Dead Ducks

POSTED: 1:47 pm EDT August 15, 2006
UPDATED: 6:04 pm EDT August 15, 2006

RALEIGH, N.C. -- Several ducks have died in Pullen Park in recent days, but authorities said Tuesday that bacteria -- not bird flu -- is to blame for the deaths.
Fewer than a dozen ducks that swim in the park's lake have died, said Richard Costello, the city parks director. Lab tests have shown a bacterial infection to be the cause of death, he said, noting the bacteria could have come from anything from moldy bread someone feed the ducks to something in the water.
None of the other animals in the park, including geese, have shown signs of sickness, he said.
The lab has ruled out bird flu or any virus that could be transmitted to humans, he said. Tissue and blood samples from the dead birds have been sent to a lab in Pennsylvania for further testing, he said.
The Pullen Park paddleboat concession has been closed as a precaution until the Wake County Health Department can check the preliminary test results, Costello said.
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