The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department is alerting the public to confirmed cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza, commonly known as bird flu or HPAI, detected among wild birds in the Texas Panhandle, with cases confirmed in Amarillo and Lubbock.
TPWD issued its wildlife health alert Monday, February 17, warning that the virus continues to circulate among wild birds in those areas and urging residents to take precautions to reduce spread.
HPAI is a highly contagious zoonotic virus - meaning it can spread to humans - that transmits easily among wild and domestic birds. It can spread directly between animals and indirectly through environmental contamination. The disease poses a significant threat to the poultry industry and backyard flocks, as domestic birds can infect or be infected by contact with wild birds.
The virus spreads rapidly and has a high death rate in birds. Select mammal species are also highly susceptible to HPAI, including domestic cats, skunks, foxes, raccoons, bobcats, mountain lions, and black bears.
Clinical signs to watch for in birds and mammals include neurological symptoms such as incoordination or stumbling, lethargy, trembling, seizures, lack of fear of people, coughing and sneezing, and sudden death — though birds infected with HPAI may not always show outward signs of infection.
In areas with a higher number of detections, TPWD discourages the public from feeding wildlife, including the use of bird feeders, and recommends hazing wildlife away from food and water sources. The department advises cleaning bird feeders and water sources at least every two weeks using a solution of one part household bleach to nine parts water, changing birdbath water every few days, and regularly removing wet feed and seed from feeders.
Currently, the transmission risk of avian influenza from infected birds to people remains low, but the public should take basic protective measures if contact with wild animals cannot be avoided - including wearing gloves and face masks and practicing good hand hygiene. Anyone who develops illness symptoms after contact with a potentially infected animal should contact a health care provider immediately and disclose the exposure.
Anyone who finds a wild bird or mammal displaying symptoms consistent with HPAI is asked to contact a local TPWD wildlife biologist rather than handling the animal. The TPWD website maintains a directory of regional biologists. Additional guidance on HPAI and human health is available from the Texas Department of State Health Services and the CDC.
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