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 lifeless in Sacramento County, and they were sent to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife’s (CDFW) Wildlife Health Laboratory for testing. Initial tests were done 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. Since then, more cases have been found in wild birds across various counties during surveillance, including Contra Costa, San Diego, Santa Clara, Solano, and Yolo. Additionally, waterfowl detections during hunter-harvest surveillance were reported in Fresno, Glenn, Kern, and Yolo counties. The last confirmed detection in wild birds happened in June 2023 before these recent cases.

This strain of Eurasian 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, there were 354 confirmed cases in wild birds from 44 California counties. The virus seemed to slow down during the spring and summer but is now resurging as waterfowl and other birds migrate for the fall.

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

Some steps to reduce the spread of HPAI include reporting dead wild birds and wildlife to CDFW, reporting sick and dead poultry to the California Department of Food and Agriculture, and preventing contact between domestic and wild birds. It's also advised not to feed waterfowl in park ponds, avoid bringing sick wild birds home, and take precautions when handling potentially sick birds.

For waterfowl hunters, additional safety recommendations include harvesting only healthy-looking waterfowl, avoiding handling or eating sick game, and using protective gloves while handling and cleaning game. It's crucial to properly dispose of waste and maintain hygiene to prevent the spread of the virus.

These guidelines aim to safeguard both humans and wildlife during the resurgence of HPAI H5N1. For more information, individuals can refer to CDFW’s informational flyer or the USDA's official list of HPAI H5N1 detections. Guidance on keeping domestic birds healthy is available on the CDFA and USDA websites. For assistance with orphaned or injured wild birds, contacting the nearest wildlife rehabilitation center is recommended, with awareness that some centers may have specific admission restrictions.

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