CDC - Bird Hobbyists and Bird Flu March 7, 2025

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WHAT TO KNOW

Bird hobbyists and enthusiasts who may have contact with infected or potentially infected birds are at higher risk for exposure to avian (bird) influenza (flu) A viruses. Learn more about your risk and actions you can take to protect your health.

Overview


Bird flu is a disease caused by avian influenza A viruses that usually spread among birds, but not people. People rarely get bird flu, but when they do, it's most often through direct unprotected contact with infected birds or other infected animals. The best way to protect yourself from bird flu is to avoid sources of exposure whenever possible.

Wild birds can be infected and show no signs of illness. They can carry disease to new areas when migrating, potentially exposing domestic poultry to the virus. If you have recreational exposure to wild birds you can take steps to protect yourself.

Protecting yourself when bird watching

• Keep a safe distance from wild birds whenever possible.
• Do not touch surfaces or materials (e.g., animal droppings) contaminated with saliva, mucous, or animal feces from wild or domestic birds or other animals with confirmed or suspected avian influenza A virus infection.
• Always wash your hands with soap and water after coming into contact with wild birds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

Other precautions

• Clean bird feeders or bird baths regularly and always wear disposable gloves when cleaning. Wash your hands with soap and water immediately afterward.
• Avoid unprotected (not using respiratory and eye protection) exposures to sick or dead animals including wild birds, poultry, other domesticated birds, and other wild or domesticated animals.
• Report sick birds or other animals or unusual bird or other animal deaths to the state or federal government through your state veterinarian or by calling USDA's toll-free number at 1-866-536-7593.

Resources

Avian Influenza | U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

HPAI Detections in Wild Birds

Avian Influenza | Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

https://www.cdc.gov/bird-flu/risk-factors/bird-hobbyists.html

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Audubon Society News
2/24/25

What Does the Avian Flu Surge Mean for Your Bird Feeders?

Excerpts:
So what does this surge mean for people who feed birds? Feeders don’t currently present a major risk of spread, experts told Audubon, especially as the virus doesn’t commonly infect the songbirds that visit feeding stations. Still, to protect avian life—along with people and other animals—it’s important to stay up to date with the latest guidance from local, state, and federal wildlife authorities. As officials monitor the virus, they may recommend temporarily removing feeders, avoiding certain habitat areas, reporting sick or dead birds, or taking other precautions. Audubon, for its part, recommends removing feeders if at least one of your local agencies advises taking them down
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Recent months have also seen the rise of a new genotype of the virus, D1.1, which quickly became the dominant version spreading along the flyways. Though Webby says it’s hard to draw direct comparisons to earlier years, since birds’ levels of immunity have changed, this genotype seems to be well adapted to infecting wild birds and caused significant die-offs during fall migration.
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That’s why bird feeders are not a top concern at the moment, though experts emphasize that cleaning feeders regularly is crucial to prevent the spread of all kinds of avian disease. It’s also worth weighing what kind of environment your feeders are in, Harvey says, and their possible proximity to the species that are most impacted by avian flu—like poultry if you live near a farm, or shorebirds if you’re on the coast. The USDA recommends that anyone who cares for poultry “should prevent contact between wild birds and poultry by removing sources of food, water, and shelter that attract wild birds,” according to a USDA spokesperson.

continued: https://www.audubon.org/magazine/wha...r-bird-feeders