(Vincent DiFonzo/The Gettysburgian)
By Vincent DiFonzo, Editor-in-Chief
Quarry Pond will remain closed until at least early March due to the presence of H5N1, or bird flu, found in dead geese last month, according to a campus-wide email sent by Campus Safety Executive Director Alex Wiltz.
The pond has been closed to visitors since Jan. 18, when the Pennsylvania Game Commission responded to a report of multiple dead geese spotted near the pond. On Jan. 26, the Game Commission reported that the geese tested positive for the avian influenza, or bird flu.
The exact re-opening date will “depend on when geese migration ends for the season,” wrote Wiltz. He also reiterated that health risk from bird flu “remains very low,” and that the College is working with the Game Commission and the state’s Department of Health Epidemiology lab to “monitor the situation.”
Bird flu is a deadly virus that rarely transmits to humans. The virus has been ravaging through poultry farms around the United States, forcing farmers to euthanize large amounts of chicken and geese, while significantly increasing egg prices.
The CDC recommends avoiding sources of potential exposure to reduce risk of contracting the virus.
Quarry Pond is located at the northwestern corner of campus, next to the Quarry Suite residence halls and the Jaeger Center. The pond is most often used by the Garthwait Leadership Center, which operates a ropes challenge course there. Quarry Pavilion, a campus gathering place that sits next to the pond, will also remain closed along with the pond.
“In the meantime, we appreciate your help in avoiding the pond and refraining from feeding or approaching birds,” wrote Wiltz. He added that students are encouraged to contact Campus Safety with any related questions or concerns.
