The infected birds "present with tremors and little ability to move," said a local conservation group tracking the outbreak.

Officials urged residents of the Chicago area not to touch -- or let their pets touch -- dead or sick birds as a bird flu outbreak sickens and kills many across the region.

Reports of dead birds washing up on beaches along Lake Michigan are sparking new fears over bird flu. Over the weekend, volunteers canvassed North Avenue Beach, disposing of a couple dozen birds, with dozens more washed out into the lake.