Wildlife and Fish Health - Avian Flu

• Report dead birds to 866-968-2600 or email Wildlife.Health@odfw.oregon.gov
• When to Report a Dead Bird

Viruses, parasites, and bacteria naturally reside in wild birds. Most strains of avian influenza or “bird flu” do not cause disease and are considered low pathogenic, meaning they do not spread easily and are not harmful to birds or people.

A highly pathogenic avian flu (H5N1 Eurasian strain or EA H5) has been detected in multiple species of wild birds in all waterfowl flyways in North America since December 2021. Peak mortality occurs during the fall and spring avian migrations.

Oregon continues to test wild birds for HPAI and rule out other common causes of mortality in these birds such as zinc phosphide toxicity and aspergillosis (a fungal infection). Mammalian scavengers such as skunks, raccoons, mink, bobcats, cougar, foxes, etc. are also susceptible to the virus and unexplained mortality in these species should be reported as well.

The HPAI virus is highly transmissible to domestic chickens, ducks, turkeys, or other poultry.  Current field data indicates high transmission rates of EA H5 HPAI in wild birds.

The virus is shed at high levels through all respiratory secretions, saliva, and feces. It can also remain infective in cold and wet environments and remain infective and stable in water and feces depending on temperature and humidity.

Presently, humans appear to be at lower risk for infection with the current EA H5N1 HPAI strain, although individuals who have frequent close contact with wild birds, especially waterfowl, may be at higher risk for exposure.

Songbirds that congregate at bird feeders appear to be very low risk for avian flu. But please keep your birdfeeders clean.

For information on avian influenza in domestic birds, visit ODA’s website: http://bit.do/ORbirdflu

Guidelines for handling wildlife – hunters

There is minimal threat to public health from the currently circulating H5N1 strain, however a few cases have been documented in humans. More information on the risk to humans can be found at https://www.cdc.gov/bird-flu/index.html. Here are some routine hygiene precautions all hunters should take whenever handling wildlife. These measures also will help provide protection from avian flu or any other disease the bird could be carrying:

• Wear rubber or latex gloves when handling and cleaning game birds.
• Do not eat, drink, smoke or touch your face when handling birds.
• Keep the uncooked game bird and any fluid material associated with it away from other foods.
• Thoroughly clean knives and any other equipment or surfaces come in contact with uncooked birds. A good cleanser and sanitizer is a commercial chlorine-based cleaning solution or mix one third cup of chlorine bleach per one gallon of water.
• Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds after handling birds (or with alcohol-based hand products if your hands are not visibly soiled).
• Cook all game meat thoroughly (up to at least 165° F) to kill disease organisms and parasites. Use a food thermometer to ensure the breast or thigh meat has reached at least 165° F.

Guidelines for handling wildlife – wildlife viewers

Common-sense safety and hygiene practices also are a good idea when bird-watching or handling wild bird feeders or equipment.

• Avoid touching wildlife. If you come into contact with wildlife do not rub your eyes, eat, drink or smoke until after you wash hands with soap and water.
• Use disposable or washable gloves when cleaning or handling backyard feeders, bird baths or other equipment. Wash your hands thoroughly after handling bird baths and feeders.
• If you find multiple sick or dead birds call 866-968-2600 to report it or e-mail wildlifehealth@odfw.oregon.gov.
• To dispose of a dead bird, pick up the bird with an inverted bag or disposable glove, place the bird in another bag, and dispose of it in the trash. Trash receptacles should be secured so that children, pets and wild animals do not have access to them. It is also recommended to wear an N95 mask when possible.

Food Safety

Eating properly handled and cooked wild game birds is safe. As with any cooked meat, take these steps to ensure your wild bird is handled and cooked properly:

• Wash hands with warm water and soap for at least 20 seconds before and after handling food;
• Prevent cross-contamination by keeping raw meat, poultry, fish, and their juices away from other foods;
• After cutting raw meats, wash cutting board, knife, and counter tops with hot, soapy water;
• Sanitize cutting boards by using a solution of 1 teaspoon chlorine bleach in 1 quart of water; and
• Use a meat thermometer to ensure food has reached the safe internal temperature--in all parts of the bird. Cook poultry to at least 165˚ F to kill food borne germs that might be present, including the avian influenza virus.

Call ODFW’s dead bird reporting hotline at 866-968-2600 or e-mail wildlifehealth@odfw.oregon.gov.

• When multiple or clusters of birds are ill or dying.

• The following information is most useful: Date, location, species affected and numbers (dead and with signs of disease). Please note you will not always get a call back due to high call volumes.

When not to call the hotline or ODFW

• If you suspect that the bird died of trauma from hitting a stationary object (window, powerline), or moving vehicle (found on or near a road) or by predation (cat), safely dispose of the bird using the guidelines below. 

• If the bird is injured (broken wing, leg), contact a local wildlife rehabilitator using http://www.dfw.state.or.us/wildlife/rehabilitation/index.asp  or your local ODFW office for the name of a wildlife rehabilitator in your area. Directory of ODFW offices.

• If you are wanting disposal of dead wildlife. On occasion ODFW staff will want to sample unexplained mortalities, however, we do not have the staff to pick up all dead wildlife.

For more information on avian flu in wild birds, visit: U.S. Geological Survey, National Wildlife Health Center: Avian Influenza