By Clara Elliott, Naturalist and Wildlife Educator
Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza, often called HPAI, is a strain of Influenza A virus that primarily affects birds. You may hear it referred to as “bird flu” or “H5N1.” No matter what label it goes by, in recent years, it has also been detected in domestic poultry, dairy cows, wild mammals, and domestic cats. While news stories can make this virus feel overwhelming, the most helpful response is to be informed and follow some basic safety precautions.
What Is HPAI?
HPAI is a highly contagious Influenza A virus that spreads among birds, especially waterfowl, shorebirds, elephant seals, raptors, and scavengers. This virus is almost always fatal to the animals it infects. It is spread mainly through contact with respiratory secretions and feces. Raptors and mammalian scavengers can also become infected after consuming sick prey. It’s important to note that birds who are carriers for the disease may not show any symptoms.
The current outbreak, which began in late 2021, is the largest and most geographically widespread HPAI event ever recorded. Since 2022, the virus has been detected across all 50 states and has now spread to Antarctica, Latin America, and remote islands, areas with no prior history of the disease. In 2025, Europe’s HPAI detections in wild birds quadrupled compared to 2024.
Closer to home, the recent outbreak at Año Nuevo State Park, where HPAI was confirmed in northern elephant seal pups is a sad reminder of how far this virus has reached. Near Antarctica, infections are still being reported in southern elephant seals, with losses of nearly 50% of breeding females recorded since 2023. The situation at Año Nuevo is worrisome because of the larger global patterns that experts are seeing.
The scope of wild animal impact from HPAI is significant. In North America, over 89 species of wild birds have been confirmed infected, with waterfowl and raptors being the most affected. Wild mammals have not been spared either, with confirmed cases in opossums, skunks, raccoons, bobcats, and other species. The mammal detections are important because they signal that the virus is moving beyond birds into the broader ecosystem.
For the general public, the risk to human health remains low at the moment. However, backyard poultry owners, cat owners, and people who regularly handle animals should take sensible precautions. Keep your cats indoors or in a catio. Reduce interactions between your backyard flock and wild animals. And, if you come across a dead/sick animal, don’t let your pets or kids near it.
Here at NAR, we have seen an increase in suspected HPAI cases recently. Over the last several years, we have noticed that HPAI cases uptick in the spring, and again in the fall. The virus moves with migratory birds along flyways. Meaning coastal California sees cases increase during both spring and fall migration windows along the Pacific Flyway.
When a bird comes in with HPAI symptoms, sadly there is very little we can do. Our protocols focus on supportive therapies and humane end-of-life care, both to relieve suffering and to prevent further spread of the virus.
Signs to Watch For in Animals
If you are out on a walk, on the beach, or in your backyard, here are some symptoms in animals that may indicate illness:
- ∙ Neurologic signs such as tremors, twisting of the head, inability to stand, or seizures
- ∙ Lethargy or unresponsiveness
- ∙ Swelling around the eyes or head
- ∙ Respiratory distress
- ∙ Sudden death in multiple birds in the same area
It is important not to assume every sick or dead bird has HPAI. Many other diseases and injuries can cause similar signs. Proper testing is required for confirmation.
What To Do If You Find a Sick or Dead Bird
Do not touch the animal with bare hands.
- ∙ Keep children and pets away.
- ∙ Contact Native Animal Rescue if the animal is sick.
- ∙ Contact CDFW to report dead birds. This is especially true if you find more than one dead bird in an area.
Practical Biosecurity Tips for the Public
Small actions can make a difference in keeping HPAI out of our wildlife populations. Here are simple steps that reduce risk:
- ∙ Avoid handling wild animals unless you are trained or have been instructed to do so.
- ∙ Wash your hands after being in contact with wildlife.
- ∙ Clean your shoes and gear after visiting the beach, wetlands, or farms.
- ∙ Keep backyard poultry separate from wild birds.
- ∙ Confine domestic cats to catios, and prevent them from catching wild birds.
Moving Forward
Native Animal Rescue continues to monitor guidance from state and federal wildlife authorities, and share information with other wildlife organizations. We adjust our protocols as needed to protect our staff, volunteers, and patients while maintaining services for our community.
If you have questions about a sick or injured wild animal, please reach out before intervening. The safest action is often to pause, observe, and call for guidance.