Bird Flu: An Update for Birdwatchers

Photo: Northern Shovelers, Steve Jessmore/Audubon Phtography Awards

Sarah Wilton

Avian influenza has been around for centuries in many strains, but the strain making the news as bird flu is a “highly pathogenic avian influenza” caused by the H5N1 virus. It’s being found in both wild birds and domestic fowl and, less commonly, in mammals, even humans. In the U.S., bird flu is being monitored by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). USDA monitors incidence of the disease in domestic birds, operating a national hotline (866-536-7593). With some other agencies USDA also is surveilling incidence in waterfowl. See Implementation Plan for Avian Influenza Surveillance in Waterfowl.

The virus can infect poultry, including chickens, turkeys, pheasants, quail, ducks, geese, and guinea fowl in commercial and backyard flocks. Since the current strain of bird flu was identified in 2022, afflicted birds have been identified in 51 states, including cases on Virginia’s eastern shore as recently as January 2025. No cases of infected livestock (including cattle, swine and alpaca) have been reported in Virginia; however, nearby North Carolina had one confirmed case in 2024. Other mammals that are susceptible to infection with bird flu include rodents, racoons and cats. See Detections of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in Mammals, which reports 126 cases in domestic cats since May 2022.

After living through the pandemic, people have cause to be concerned and ask questions about risks to humans, particularly for people who come in contact with birds and livestock. To date the CDC, working with state and public health departments, has reported 70 confirmed and probable human bird flu cases and one fatality since 2024, but it rates the risk of transmission to humans as low. It reports no confirmed case in Virginia and only one probable case in the Delmarva Peninsula. See H5 Bird Flu: Current Situation. No person-to-person has been diagnosed; however, influenza viruses mutate constantly, so continued monitoring is essential.

Of course, we also have concerns as birdwatchers and citizens worried about the health of wild bird populations in a world where they face serious challenges from climate change, habitat loss, and other threats. Peak migration in our area begins in April, and detections are higher within the wild bird populations in the fall and spring, because the birds spread the virus as they migrate to and from their breeding grounds. The most common victims of the virus are waterfowl, shorebirds, seabirds and raptors that may feed on carcasses of diseased birds. USDA reports 132 wild bird cases in Virginia since January 2022; six of those cases were recorded since December 2024. Given the time lag between collection and confirmation and the problems associated with wild bird sample collection, the figures are likely an understatement of the actual number of cases. 

So, what do we need to know and do as we head outdoors to observe wildlife and participate in conservation projects, or as we live and participate in other community activities?

• If you find a dead wild bird, either on your property or elsewhere, report it to your state wildlife agency or health department. In Virginia, that is the Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR). DWR particularly asks you to report by phone (855-571-9003) or email (wildlifehealth@dwr.virginia.gov) (i) five or more dead vultures, waterfowl, shorebirds, or seabirds in the same area within five days; (ii) sick or dead eagles, hawks, owls, or turkeys, excluding carcasses found on the road, or (iii) ten or more dead wild birds of any species in the same area within five days.

• If you have backyard chickens, don’t put up feeders for wild birds. Although Cornell Lab's All About Birds reports low risk to songbirds from the bird flu, it has been detected in a number of species, making it prudent to avoid encouraging poultry and wild birds to mix. Cornell recommends not putting up feeders and making sure that poultry food and water are not accessible to wild birds. Its website also includes recommendations for wildlife rehabilitators and people who maintain wild bird nest boxes. Unusual poultry illness or death should be reported in Virginia to the State Veterinarian’s Office (804) 692-0601 or at vastatevet@vdacs.virginia.gov or to USDA’s toll-free number at (866) 536-7593.

• If you dispose of a dead wild bird, make sure you use disposable gloves and disinfect your shoes and clothing afterwards. You can find guidance from the USDA flyer: Found a Dead Wild Bird? Here's What to Do Next.

• What about cats? If you have a cat, by all means keep it indoors. We have advised you to keep your cats indoors for years in order to protect wild birds from predation. Now you have even more reason to keep your cat indoors to protect it from possible bird flu infection. See the American Veterinary Medical Association article, Avian influenza A (H5N1) in cats, for recommendations for preventing infection, along with a list of symptoms and steps to take in the case of suspected infection.

What You Need to Know About Bird Flu

Photo: Mallard ducklings, Colleen Kerrigan/Audubon Photography Awards

Deidre Bryant

The July 2023 Statement from the international Scientific Task Force on Avian Influenza and Wild Birds includes some alarming information about the effect of the current avian influenza or “bird flu,” H5N1, but it also includes some helpful recommendations on steps we can take to keep from exacerbating the spread of this deadly disease.

Bantam Chickens in a coop, Putneypics, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons

Let’s start with some background. What is H5N1? It’s a strain of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), and it’s currently causing high mortality rates in farmed poultry, wild birds, and even mammals that feed on sick birds such as foxes, bears, opossums, and mustelids. According to the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH), avian influenza is a complex strain of viruses that can evolve rapidly. It generally is seasonal, peaking in February and reaching its lowest in September. Because the viruses are resilient and can survive for long periods of low temperature, they can spread easily from farm to farm on equipment. The current form is particularly frightening because it spreads to free-ranging wildlife from poultry, which used to be rare. Health authorities expect it to continue spreading, especially in breeding colonies on oceanic islands. The disease occurs worldwide (except in Antarctica, Australasia, and the Pacific islands).

And, what free-ranging birds are being affected? The list is extensive with over 400 species dying, or reported to have the virus, worldwide. These include gannets, terns, gulls, herons, grebes, pelicans, penguins, cormorants, cranes, owls, corvids, vultures (and condors), parrots and some passerines. In North America, HPAI has killed hundreds of Bald Eagles, 5-15% of the nesting population of Common Eider Ducks on the St. Lawrence waterway, 58% of the breeding population of Northern Gannets in Canada, over 1,000 Caspian Terns on Lake Michigan, approximately 1,000 Snow Geese on Colorado waterways, and at least 20 critically endangered California Condors. The surviving population of California Condors is now being vaccinated. H5N1 is present in almost every state in the U.S., including Virginia. 

So, what does WHOA recommend? Its standards for the poultry industry include mitigation measures, such as culling infected birds, improved hygiene standards and less crowding. For ailing wildlife, however, it does not recommend culling, spraying toxic products, or tampering with habitats, because a focus on wildlife would misdirect critical resources away from control methods closer to the source. Also, such responses to wild bird transmission can lead to loss of biodiversity. What is effective against HPAI risks is separating poultry operations from wetland habitats and possibly moving wildlife away from human-dominated areas, such as by creating new breeding sites.

But those measures are ones to be implemented by industry and governmental authorities. What can YOU do? There are steps you can take as hunters and fishers, as suburban owners of backyard hens, as backyard bird feeders, and as bird-watchers visiting areas near breeding colonies of birds. Remember that the virus can spread by water, soil (on clothing or airborne), and from exposure to diseased birds and their products. 

• Bird watchers approaching breeding colonies should ensure that their shoes and clothing are free of soil and debris. If they also raise poultry, they should ensure that none of their clothing or gear has come in contact with poultry, unless it is disinfected afterwards.

• Backyard bird watchers should ensure that they regularly clean and disinfect feeders and bird baths, taking them down if they notice ailing birds visiting them.

• Backyard birders who also keep a few hens or other domestic fowl should not put up feeders or birdbaths, or create water features for wild birds.

• Fishers should not use poultry cuts or viscera as fishing bait.

• Hunters should not use live decoy birds to attract wild birds during times of high risk, and at all other times should keep them in bio-secure areas away from poultry.

• Fishers and waterfowl hunters should not allow poultry to come in contact with their fishing or hunting clothes, footwear, gear, dogs, or vehicles, which may be contaminated.

• Anyone finding a dead or diseased animal should call local animal health authorities to take care of carcasses, so that they are not disposed of where scavengers can dig them up and spread infection.

• Gardeners with or without backyard water features or ponds should not use poultry manure as fertilizer or fish food.

Suburban backyard “farmers” who keep chickens, ducks and geese have to take extra precautions to separate their livestock from wild animals. They need to be on the alert for signs of sickness, which often include respiratory distress or digestive ailments (extreme diarrhea), followed by a quick death. Chickens may have swelling around the head, neck, and eyes, and their heads and legs may also have purple discoloration. If you own poultry:

• Follow the strict instructions and guidelines on your feed bags, which also provide information on HPAI.

• Separate your flock from wildlife and wild birds with an enclosed shelter within a fenced outdoor area. Smaller mesh hardware cloth can keep out wild birds and allow your flock outdoor time.

• Do not have contact with your birds if you have been near others’ flocks, and restrict access to your poultry if your visitors have birds of their own.

• Keep different species of poultry and age groups separated because different traits and ages may be or less prone to disease.

• Keep feeders and waterers clean and out of reach of wild birds, always cleaning up feed spills.

• Change feeding practices if wild birds continue to be present.

• Use dedicated or clean clothing and footwear when working with poultry.

• Clean and disinfect equipment that comes in contact with your birds such as shovels and rakes.

• Clean and disinfect poultry housing and equipment often to limit the birds’ contacting their waste.

• Don't share equipment or reuse materials like egg cartons from neighbors and other bird owners.

• Prevent any of your domestic ducks from grazing in wetlands.

There are more tips and guidelines available from the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources. With proper planning, surveillance, education, and the involvement of local health and wildlife organizations, everyone can help protect livestock, poultry farmers, and wild, free-ranging birds worldwide.