Cases of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) are on the rise in Oregon and across the US, affecting wild bird populations, domestic poultry, cattle, and a few rare cases of pets and humans. Bend wildlife hospital, Think Wild, is closely monitoring the situation and taking strict precautions to prevent potential disease spread at their facility. They also have suggestions for the public for how to keep pets, people, and wildlife safe during this time.
The current H5N1 strain of avian influenza presents a complex challenge for wild bird populations, particularly migratory waterfowl, raptors, and scavenging species. Avian influenza has been detected across 153 wild bird species throughout the United States, with over 10,400 confirmed cases. While waterfowl are natural hosts for avian influenza viruses and typically carry low pathogenic strains without severe illness, this highly pathogenic H5N1 strain has proven unusually persistent and lethal, causing increased deaths among wild geese, shorebirds, and raptors. The virus moves throughout North America during spring and fall migrations, with wild birds serving as both victims and vectors of the disease.
Wild birds can both contract and spread avian influenza to and from backyard and commercial poultry flocks primarily through their feces and saliva. The Oregon Department of Agriculture and Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) have been testing birds and tracking outbreaks of the H5N1 strain of avian influenza, which was first detected in Oregon in 2022. The virus’s concerning spread now extends beyond wild birds and poultry to include various mammals. Oregon reported the first US detection of H5N1 in swine in October 2024, followed by the state’s first human case in November, and most recently, a domestic cat infection linked to raw pet food in December 2024. This expanded range of affected species highlights the virus’s evolving nature and increased transmission risks.
While Think Wild is still accepting most native birds for care, the wildlife center is following restrictions set by ODFW to not treat any adult species of waterfowl, waterbird, or shorebird, which can be asymptomatic carriers of the virus. All wild bird patients are screened for symptoms of avian influenza such as neurologic symptoms or respiratory distress, and sick birds are quarantined from all other patients. Some extreme cases may require immediate humane euthanasia to prevent animal suffering and reduce transmission risks.
“Think Wild always maintains strict biosecurity measures, but we implemented additional HPAI-specific protocols when it was first detected in Oregon in 2022 to mitigate potential spread,” said Dr. Laura Acevedo, Think Wild’s veterinarian. “Our protocols include immediate diagnostics for sick birds, comprehensive protective equipment for staff, and rigorous cleaning procedures with EPA-registered disinfectants. These guidelines are of utmost importance to protect the patients in our care, as well as our staff and volunteers.”
To protect pets and people, Think Wild recommends keeping cats indoors and dogs leashed, not feeding raw poultry diets to pets, and avoiding contact with wild birds and their feces/saliva. The public should report groups of sick or dead wild birds to ODFW and avoid handling wildlife that appears sick or deceased without protective equipment. Signs of avian influenza in birds include neurologic symptoms such as head tics, incoordination and balance issues, or respiratory symptoms such as rattling breathing, and eye or nose discharge.
The public can help prevent virus spread by:
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Removing bird feeders if sick birds are observed and regularly clean feeders with a 10% bleach solution
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Keeping domestic poultry enclosed and away from wild birds, with no standing water nearby that might attract waterfowl
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Following strict biosecurity measures if you have backyard flocks, including changing clothes before entering poultry areas and limiting visits to other farms
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Reporting sick or dead wild birds to Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife: 866-968-2600 or Wildlife.Health@odfw.oregon.
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Reporting domestic bird illness to Oregon Department of Agriculture: 503-986-4711
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Maintaining distance from wild birds and following proper safety protocols if handling is necessary
For wildlife concerns or questions about avian influenza, contact Think Wild’s wildlife hotline at 541-241-8680.
