Officials urge public to avoid contact with sick or dead birds as avian flu persists across Oregon 

SALEM, Ore. – People across Oregon are being urged to avoid contact with sick or dead birds as highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) continues to impact wild and domestic bird populations across the state. There is currently no effective treatment for wild and domestic birds, and the virus can spread rapidly among bird populations and potentially to other wildlife.

ODFW is currently receiving reports of HPAI-related bird deaths across Oregon, with most cases occurring in the Willamette Valley among migrating cackling geese and some raptors. Additional detections have been reported in eastern Oregon, where early-season duck and raptor mortalities and snow goose deaths have occurred. Sporadic reports along the Oregon Coast also include cases in gulls and other waterbirds.

Since 2022, Oregon has experienced widespread outbreaks of HPAI in wild birds and domestic poultry. This virus has been detected in nearly every Oregon county. It has caused the deaths of more than 15,000 wild birds and the euthanasia of more than 183 million domestic poultry in North America.

Other non-avian wildlife confirmed with HPAI in Oregon include raccoons, skunks, foxes, marten and bobcats. However, nearly any mammalian species that feed on affected animals or is in a heavily contaminated environment may be susceptible to disease.

Nationwide, affected wildlife also includes coyotes, wild cats, and bears that have likely fed on infected birds. Marine mammals have also been impacted in North and South America. Domestic animals affected by HPAI include poultry, waterfowl, cattle, pigs, goats, alpacas, and cats.

What to do if you encounter groups of sick or dead wild birds

• Report groups of sick or dead wild birds to the Wildlife Health lab at 866-968-2600 or wildlife.health@odfw.oregon.gov. ODFW staff are monitoring and tracking continued mortalities. Samples may be collected in cases involving large numbers of dead birds or multiple species. Single dead bird reports are useful for tracking suspicious cases; however, due to limited staff, and resources ODFW will not be able to respond to all such reports.

• Do not handle wildlife that is sick or found dead. If it is necessary to dispose of a carcass, use a shovel or wear impermeable gloves, wash hands with soap and water, and change clothing before having contact with domestic poultry or pet birds. 

• Keep dogs away from sick or dead birds. There are no known cases of domestic dogs becoming sickened by contact with sick birds. But hunters should not feed dogs any raw meat, organs, or other tissues from harvested waterfowl, and they should not allow retrieving dogs to interact with sick or dead birds.

Typical symptoms in wild waterfowl include lethargy, inability to fly, erratic behavior, loss of coordination, cloudy eyes, swimming in circles, and head shaking. However, some dabbling ducks may carry the virus without symptoms, spreading it through their feces to other birds and wetlands. Infected wild mammals may appear sick or neurologically abnormal, or be found dead after consuming infected birds, and should also be reported.

Birds typically die within 72 hours of showing clinical signs. Currently, rehabilitators in Oregon are advised not to accept waterfowl with bird flu symptoms due to the risk of the disease spreading to other birds in their facilities.

Learn more from ODFW.

How to report illness in domestic animals 
Death or illness among domestic birds (chickens, turkeys, Guinea fowl) should be reported immediately to ODA. Please report by calling 503-986-4711 (alt. phone 1-800-347-7028). Find more information on avian influenza in domestic birds and tips on protecting backyard flocks from ODA.

Risk to humans

The risk to people from this strain of avian influenza is low. Since 2024, there have been 71 human cases of avian influenza in the United States, including two deaths. Most of these cases were exposed to infected dairy herds or domestic poultry farms. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides updated information on human cases of HPAI.

ODFW is part of the State of Oregon's multi-agency response to HPAI, along with the Oregon Department of Agriculture, the Oregon Health Authority, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA-APHIS).

Header photo: Cackling geese