Bird Flu Makes a Comeback This Fall Alongside Migrating Birds

Wildlife experts have confirmed that the Eurasian strain of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) H5N1 has made a comeback in wild birds in California.

In late October, some Canada geese were discovered dead in Sacramento County. These birds were sent to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife’s (CDFW) Wildlife Health Laboratory for testing. Initial tests took place at the California Animal Health and Food Safety Laboratory in Davis.

In early November, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Veterinary Services Laboratories verified the presence of HPAI H5N1 in two Canada geese. Since then, more cases have been found in various counties, including Contra Costa, San Diego, Santa Clara, Solano, and Yolo. Additionally, during hunter-harvest surveillance, waterfowl in Fresno, Glenn, Kern, and Yolo counties have tested positive. Before these recent findings, the last confirmed detection in wild birds was in June 2023. This specific strain of HPAI H5N1 from Eurasia has been circulating in the U.S. and Canada since the winter of 2021-22 and arrived in California in July 2022. Between July 2022 and June 2023, 354 cases of the virus were confirmed in wild birds from 44 California counties. Detection rates seemed to decrease during the spring and summer, but with the fall migration of waterfowl, cases are now rising again.

Avian influenza spreads through direct bird-to-bird contact and can also spread through contaminated surfaces like hands, shoes, clothing, and hunting gear. While the Centers for Disease Control states that the risk of transmission to humans is low, residents and waterfowl hunters are urged to take precautions.

Here are some steps to help reduce the spread of HPAI:

Report dead wild birds and other wildlife to CDFW using the mortality reporting form. Even though testing every bird is not feasible, all reports are valuable for monitoring the outbreak.

Report sick and dead poultry to the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) hotline at 1 (866) 922-2473.

Avoid contact between domestic birds and wild birds, especially waterfowl. Keep wild birds away from chicken or other domestic bird feed and water.

Refrain from feeding waterfowl or other waterbirds at park ponds, as it may increase the congregation of birds and contribute to disease spread.

Do not bring potentially sick wild birds home or move them to another location.

Before transporting sick wild birds to wildlife rehabilitation centers, veterinary clinics, or other animal facilities, contact the facility for guidance.

When recreating outdoors in areas with large concentrations of waterfowl, wash clothing, and disinfect footwear and equipment before moving to other areas or interacting with domestic birds.

If possible and safe, dispose of dead birds to reduce exposure to new birds and minimize scavenging by susceptible birds and mammals. Place dead birds in a plastic bag and dispose of them in regular trash collection.

Additional safety recommendations for waterfowl hunters include:

Harvest only healthy-looking waterfowl. Avoid handling or eating sick game and wild birds that are obviously sick or found dead.

Dress and prepare game outdoors or in a well-ventilated area, away from poultry or pet birds.

Use rubber gloves while handling and cleaning game.

Remove and discard intestines soon after harvesting, avoiding direct contact with intestinal contents. Dispose of waste in a plastic bag and place it in a secure garbage container.

Avoid eating, drinking, smoking, or vaping while handling dead game.

After handling game, wash hands thoroughly with soap and water (or use alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are unavailable). Clean knives, equipment, and surfaces that came in contact with the game.

Keep harvested waterfowl cool until processed, below 45 degrees Fahrenheit, and then refrigerate or freeze.

Cook all game thoroughly to an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit before consumption.

Clean and disinfect clothing, footwear, and hunting gear before traveling to other areas. If possible, wash footwear and gear with soap and water, then disinfect with a bleach solution diluted 1:10 with water for at least 10 minutes.

Bathe hunting dogs with pet shampoo after hunting and avoid feeding them raw meat, organs, or other tissues from harvested waterfowl.

Falconers are advised to avoid hunting waterfowl and other waterbirds during the HPAI outbreak.

For more information on HPAI H5N1, refer to CDFW’s informational flyer addressing frequently asked questions and links to additional resources. The USDA maintains the official list of HPAI H5N1 detections on its website. Visit the CDFA and USDA websites for guidance on keeping domestic birds healthy.

If you come across orphaned or injured live wild birds, contact your nearest wildlife rehabilitation center before attempting to collect the animal. Be aware that some wildlife rehabilitation centers may have restrictions on the types of wildlife they admit.

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