Authorities in Greece have announced that over 750 Dalmatian Pelicans (Pelicanus crispus) have died on Little Prespa Lake that lies at the intersection at North Macedonia, Greece and Albania.  Mortality commenced in mid-February and affected Dalmatian Pelicans in two adjoining lakes.

The mass mortality of these migratory birds follows the death of more than 6,000 cranes in Israel at the end of 2021.  In both cases H5N1 avian influenza H5N1virus was isolated that was responsible for mortality.

Concurrently with the event in Greece, on March 14th, wildlife officials in Missouri identified dead American White Pelicans (Pelicanus erythrorhynchos) in four counties including Pettis, Randolph, and St. Charles.  H5N1 virus was isolated from dead birds that are migrating northwards on the Mississippi Flyway.  The diagnosis of H5N1 avian influenza was confirmed by the National Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory in Ames, IA.