NEWINGTON, N.H. — New Hampshire Fish and Game biologists say wild turkeys in the Newington area may have been infected with a couple of viruses.

They’ve sent specimens from dead turkeys found last week to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Biologists tell the Portsmouth Herald the turkeys may be been infected with the avian pox virus or one referred to as LPDV.

Avian pox, present in southern states for decades, causes turkeys to develop lesions that block their eyes and throat. The other has symptoms similar to avian pox; it also causes lumpy growths on the turkeys’ feet. It’s relatively new in the Northeast.

Both diseases usually are spread by biting insects.

Biologists said last year, they recorded dead turkeys with the viruses in 23 New Hampshire towns.

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