Bird Flu Makes a Comeback This Fall Alongside Migratory Birds

Wildlife disease experts have confirmed the reappearance of the Eurasian strain of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) H5N1 in California's wild birds.

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

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Veterinary Services Laboratories verified the presence of HPAI H5N1 in two Canada geese in early November. Further detections occurred in wild birds from additional counties, including Contra Costa, San Diego, Santa Clara, Solano, and Yolo, during mortality surveillance. Waterfowl detections during hunter-harvest surveillance were reported in Fresno, Glenn, Kern, and Yolo counties. Prior to these findings, the last confirmed detection in wild birds was in June 2023.

This Eurasian strain of HPAI H5N1 has been circulating in the United States and Canada since the winter of 2021-22, reaching California in mid-July 2022. Between July 2022 and June 2023, a total of 354 confirmed virus detections were made in wild birds from 44 California counties during mortality surveillance. Virus detections seemed to decrease during the spring and summer in California and more broadly in the United States. However, with the fall migration of waterfowl and other waterbirds, cases are again on the rise.

Avian influenza spreads through direct bird-to-bird contact and may also spread through contaminated surfaces like hands, shoes, clothing, and hunting gear. While the Centers for Disease Control considers the risk of avian influenza transmission to people low, residents and waterfowl hunters are advised to take precautions to protect themselves, hunting dogs, falconry birds, poultry, and pet birds.

Steps to reduce the spread of HPAI include reporting dead wild birds to CDFW, reporting sick and dead poultry to the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) hotline, preventing contact between domestic and wild birds, and avoiding feeding waterfowl in park ponds to reduce bird congregation and disease spread.

For waterfowl hunters, additional safety recommendations include harvesting only healthy-looking birds, dressing game outdoors, wearing gloves while handling and cleaning game, and thoroughly cooking all game before consumption. Hunters are also advised to clean and disinfect clothing, footwear, and gear, and bathe hunting dogs with pet shampoo after hunting.

For more information on HPAI H5N1, CDFW provides an informational flyer with frequently asked questions and links to additional resources. The USDA maintains the official list of HPAI H5N1 detections on its website. Guidance on keeping domestic birds healthy can be found on the CDFA and USDA websites, and for orphaned or injured live wild birds, individuals are encouraged to contact their nearest wildlife rehabilitation center. Note that some rehabilitation centers may have restrictions on the wildlife species they will admit.

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