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Bald eagles in Florida die after contracting bird flu, wildlife officials say

Two baby eagles from southwest Florida have died from bird flu.

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The American bald eaglets got sick after their father brought an infected bird to the nest as food.

Within four days, both eaglets died, and experts confirmed it was the bird flu.

Read: Bird Flu cases emerging in Central Florida, officials report

Wildlife researchers say the virus is spreading fast and is almost always deadly for raptors.

“There are some reports stating that raptors who develop clinical signs have about a 90 to 100% mortality, so it is a very, very contagious, very pathogenic disease,” said CROW Research and Medical Director Jessica Comolli.

Read: American bald eagles are having a moment, ecologically and culturally

While avian flu primarily affects birds, the CDC warns humans can be infected, with the first U.S. death reported last month.

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