2024-25 Avian Flu Information

Important Points:

• HPAI (Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza) Avian Flu (H5N1) does NOT typically occur in back yard bird species (wild passerines), UNLESS these birds are feeding where possibly infected waterfowl are, or where domestic chicken, goose or duck flocks are;
• It is NOT necessary to remove your feeders and stop feeding backyard birds, as your backyard birds are not spreading this disease unless they interact with affected ducks, geese, chickens or shorebirds;
• Wild birds that contract avian flu are primarily waterfowl (geese and ducks); or shorebirds; or the raptors that feed on such birds. In a few instances, crows, ravens or jays have been affected, due to their dining in areas where there are sick birds. Wild passerines are much less likely to show any symptoms of the illness and often do not succumb, whereas chickens, ducks and other heavily impacted species are quickly devastated by the illness.
• Domestic fowl are most devastated by H5N1 avian flu, so anyone raising chickens, ducks and geese, or turkeys, needs to take extra precautions. In these specific cases, it IS recommended that bird feeders be removed, since wild birds can bring H5N1 into domestic fowl habitat.
• H5N1 has also been found in wild mammal species as well, including in red foxes, skunks, bobcats, fishers, and bears, likely from eating infected birds. In a number of states it has been found in cattle, notably in many cattle herds in California. A wild and exotic cat rescue organization in Washington state in late 2024 had 20 cats succumb to bird flu. It is HIGHLY recommended to keep pet cats indoors to prevent them from coming in contact with affected birds if they are where any of the affected species are found.
• One expert, David Bonter, with the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, shared that “there is no scientific basis for removing bird feeders at this time.”
• The Institute for Infectious and Zoonotic Diseases at University of Pennsylvania Veterinary School states, “According to the USDA, there is no evidence that birdfeeders, or the birds that frequent them, contribute to the spread of HPAI.

As in previous infections of bird flus across North America, these illnesses have followed migratory WATEROWL migration routes, NOT song bird migration routes. So the overwhelming concern should not be on back yard birds, but on those birds who may congregate where migratory waterfowl congregate. This bird flu also tends to follow poultry transportation routes as well, as in when chickens are sent to markets, etc.

So, NO, you do not need to stop feeding the birds in your yard, UNLESS your yard meets the conditions mentioned above: with visiting waterfowl or adjacent to or near poultry farms.

Important Tips for Those Who Feed Birds

• We HIGHLY recommend regular cleaning of ALL bird feeders, and the daily cleaning out of all bird baths or water features birds visit.
• USE a scrub brush with soapy water on all INSIDES of your feeders, to remove the biofilm that organisms create to protect themselves from removal.
• Video regarding cleaning: https://www.wbu.com/bird-feeder-care-cleaning/

What the Experts Are Saying: Low Risk of Avian Flu to Songbirds

From the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, here are some of the points made about H5N1’s impact or effect on songbirds:
“This particular strain of avian influenza virus affects a wide variety of wild birds, including hawks, eagles, falcons, owls, crows, vultures, shorebirds, game birds, seabirds, and especially waterfowl such as Canada Geese and Mallards (see link below for list). The virus is shed in the saliva, mucus, and feces of infected birds and is transmitted to other birds via ingestion or inhalation.
Because of the duration of this outbreak, its recent spread to mammal species, and widespread mortalities in some types of wild birds, there has been concern about whether it’s safe for people to feed wild birds.

There has been widespread transmission of avian flu to wild bird species including waterfowl and raptors. The virus has also been found in mammals that prey on dead birds. However, transmission to songbirds and other typical feeder visitors has been low (less than 2% of all cases reported in wild birds), although this may change with changes to the virus. That means there is currently a low risk of an outbreak among wild songbirds, and no official recommendation to take down feeders unless you also keep domestic poultry, according to the National Wildlife Disease Program. We do always recommend that you clean bird feeders and birdbaths regularly as a way to keep many kinds of diseases at bay.”

Annually, the Cornell Lab of Ornithology has conferred with Dr. Julianna Lenoch, who directs the USDA APHIS National Wildlife Disease Program, and as of August 2024, there is no official recommendation for people to take down bird feeders because of the risk of avian influenza.

Here is Cornell’s most recent link with far more information: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/news/avian-influenza-outbreak-should-you-take-down-your-bird-feeders/

Here is the link to the species list of birds affected: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/news/avian-influenza-outbreak-should-you-take-down-your-bird-feeders/#species-list

For a list of potential symptoms see this page:
https://www.aphis.usda.gov/livestock-poultry-disease/avian/avian-influenza

The Centers for Disease Control has updates and recommendations about H5N1 in humans: https://www.cdc.gov/bird-flu/situation-summary/index.html?CDC_AA_refVal=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cdc.gov%2Fbird-flu%2Fphp%2Favian-flu-summary%2Findex.html

All links are also in our website, if you don’t want to type them in by hand: eugene.wbu.com/avian-flu-information

How Is H5N1 Avian Flu Spread?
As in previous avian flu outbreaks, this outbreak spreads along routes of waterfowl migration or poultry movement, as in chickens shipped to markets, etc. This bird flu originated in poultry in China, and has spread through migrating birds (waterfowl, primarily), passing through areas where birds from large farms or markets live, congregate, or are slaughtered. Wild birds that rest and feed near farmed birds and their food can become infected and yet may show no signs of being ill. When those birds then continue on their migration, they can pass it to other birds they come in contact with farther along. It was initially discovered in China in 2021.

Contact us with any further questions.