Columbus, GA – Scientists around the US today are expressing concern that the latest victim of the Bird Flu may indicate that a substantial mutation of the deadly avian virus has occurred allowing the virus to spread to corporate mascots

Yesterday, The American Family Life Assurance Company (Aflac) announced that its popular corporate mascot, the Aflac Duck was found dead in its wading pond in Columbus late last week. Preliminary autopsy and test results point to the cause of death being the H5N1 Virus, more popularly known as Avian Influenza, or “The Bird Flu.”

The virus, which has reached epidemic proportions in Asia and Europe, has killed millions of birds and has largely resisted efforts to contain or control its spread. Though fatal to birds and easily spread among bird populations, the virus has not been considered a serious threat to humans or other non-avian species as the virus has lacked the ability to spread from a non-avian host.

Scientists fear that the death of the Aflac duck may be an indication that the virus has jumped this ‘species boundary’ and has mutated into a form which is now virulent to bird-like corporate mascots.

Disney CEO, Robert Iger, has indicated that the entertainment giant would be taking no chances and has put into place a strict quarantine at all its locations around the world. Donald Duck, Daisy Duck, Huey, Dewey, Louie, Scrooge McDuck, and any actors playing them have been removed from the various Disney theme parks and attractions and placed into isolation where their health can be monitored and they can be kept isolated from other mascots.

Other corporations with high-risk mascots have taken similar steps. Barry M Meyer, CEO of Warner Brothers stated, “Don’t expect to see daffy Duck walking around any time soon. He’s being placed on a mandatory vacation until we can better access the threat level the virus poses.”

Aflac also announced it will be offering a new policy aimed at corporations with bird like mascots. Daniel P. Amos, the company CEO, stated, “We’re really a big family here at Aflac, and when news of Affie’s death came out last week, it hit us all pretty hard. While we can’t do anything about the virus itself, we can offer some peace of mind to other mascot owners out there. Should your mascot contract the avian flu, our new ‘Affie’ policy will ensure your mascot’s medical and (if needed) funeral costs will be covered.”

“We also hope that this new policy will reduce some of the panic we’ve been seeing out there in the mascot community. I know that Big Bird has not been himself the last few days. A friend of mine from PBS told me yesterday that Big Bird went totally bezerk and started screaming at Elmo when Elmo arrived to visit him without wearing a HEPA-approved face mask over the weekend. I guess Elmo ran off crying and now no one’s seen him on Sesame Street for days. While I understand this policy can’t offer protection from getting the virus, I do hope it may reduce the stress some of these mascots are obviously feeling right now.”