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Texas - Avian influenza in wild birds 2024-2026

Related to post #37:

12 birds test 'non-negative' for bird flu after hundreds of dead birds found in Amarillo

by Matthew Watkins
Wed, February 11, 2026 at 1:03 PM
Updated Wed, February 11, 2026 at 2:25 PM

AMARILLO, Texas (KVII) — Amarillo Public Health says 12 birds in the Amarillo area have tested “non-negative” for the H5 strain of avian influenza, strongly suggesting the presence of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), according to a health advisory issued Wednesday.

The update follows an earlier advisory on Feb. 3 after reports of sick and dead birds in the area. Employees with Amarillo Animal Management and Welfare, and the Wild West Wildlife Rehabilitation Center, collected 239 dead geese and ducks on Feb. 1. The birds were discovered Sunday at McDonald Lake, located near 45th Ave. and Coulter Street.

Between Feb. 1 and Feb. 9, Amarillo Animal Management and Welfare submitted samples from 18 birds for testing. Of those, 12 tested non-negative for H5, highly suspecting highly pathogenic avian influenza.
...

https://abc7amarillo.com/news/local...fever-sore-throat-conjunctivitis-pink-eye-ppe
 
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Horseshoe Bay, Texas
/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Horseshoe_Bay,_Texas
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​City of Horseshoe Bay, Texas's Post
City of Horseshoe Bay, Texas
4d ·

Recently in the City of Horseshoe Bay, we have been experiencing an unusually high death rate of buzzards due to avian influenza. Citizens should avoid ALL animal carcasses and keep household pets away from carcasses. To have deceased wildlife safely removed, please contact Animal Control at 830.598.2633. Read more here: https://horseshoe-bay-tx.gov/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/555.​

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​https://www.facebook.com/horseshoeb...7PbRfacYdWuPw1y5ppt6rbqvdm7m5v42uzpV1VqVEoCgl
 
Texas Parks and Wildlife News Release
Feb. 17, 2026
Media Contact: TPWD News, Business Hours, 512-389-8030


AUSTIN —Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) urges caution as highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) continues to circulate among wild birds in Amarillo and Lubbock.

Detected in all 50 states across the U.S. and Puerto Rico, HPAI is a highly contagious zoonotic virus (meaning that humans can catch the virus) that transmits easily among wild and domestic birds. It can spread directly between animals and indirectly through environmental contamination.

The congregation of waterfowl and other migratory birds around food, water sources and backyard flocks increases the potential spread of the disease.

The public can assist in interrupting HPAI transmission by limiting all unnecessary contact with wild birds. In areas that currently have a higher number of HPAI detections, TPWD discourages the public from feeding wildlife, which includes the use of bird feeders. Staff also recommends the hazing of wildlife away from food and water sources.

The public should take general precautions by not handling any sick or dead wildlife and by not allowing pets to interact with sick or dead wildlife. If a pet frequents areas with wildlife, they should make sure their pets are up to date on vaccinations.

If you encounter a wild animal with signs consistent with HPAI, contact your local TPWD wildlife biologist.

What is Avian Influenza:
​-snip-

Clinical Signs and Transmission:

Clinical signs include neurological disease 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 have outward signs of infection. The virus may spread in a variety of ways, including through contact with infected wild and domestic birds as well as by contaminated equipment, clothing and shoes of caretakers.

For mammals, transmission occurs primarily through the consumption of infected animal carcasses and contaminated equipment.

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. Public and health care professionals can find more information about HPAI in humans from the Texas Department of State Health Services. If you develop signs of illness after you have been in contact with an HPAI-positive animal or animal with clinical signs suspicious for HPAI immediately contact your healthcare provider and let them know about the exposure.

Prevention:

TPWD currently suggests discontinuing the use of bird feeders but if they are left up in areas with higher detections numbers then the bird feeders and water sources should be cleaned at least every two weeks with a solution of one part household bleach to nine parts water. Change water in birdbaths every few days and regularly remove wet feed and seed from feed and water sources.

​https://tpwd.texas.gov/newsmedia/re...ission risk of,wild animals cannot be avoided.

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When a Dead Bird Becomes a Public Health Signal: Galveston County’s Avian Flu Surveillance


February 19, 2026 • 2:45 p.m. by Jessica Rodriguez, MPH

bird-flu-gc.jpg

Galveston County Bird Flu Inforgraphic designed by UTMB graduate student Jillian Clack

In November and December 2025, the Galveston County Health District (GCHD) reported confirmed avian influenza in local birds, with testing identifying Influenza Type A positive for the H5 strain, described as presumptively positive for Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI).[SUP]1[/SUP] That announcement wasn’t just a wildlife update; it was a One Health observation in real time. In Galveston County, 27 dead birds were reported, and ten were sent to the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) One Health Laboratory for diagnostic testing and confirmation, reflecting the kind of rapid cross-sector response needed when an animal health event could affect pets and people.[SUP]1[/SUP] Avian influenza is primarily a disease of birds, but the virus can spill over into other animals under the right conditions.² While these viruses are mostly adapted to birds, history has shown they can occasionally infect people and other mammals—typically after close contact with infected birds or contaminated environments. Past spillover events, such as H5N1 and H7N9 outbreaks linked to poultry exposure, are why public health agencies emphasize early detection in animals. Monitoring and testing sick or dead birds helps partners understand where the virus is showing up, which species are affected, and whether the risk picture is changing.

According to GCHD, 10 people had direct contact with infected birds and were evaluated; those who developed symptoms were tested and the results were negative for influenza virus, and eight individuals received Tamiflu (oseltamivir) as post-exposure prophylaxis. GCHD also stated that there was no evidence of human-to-human transmission at the time and that the risk to the general public remained low. Nationally, the CDC continues to describe the current public health risk as low and uses multiple surveillance systems to monitor for unusual influenza activity.

Because some mammals can be infected after contact with sick or dead birds, individuals are urged to take extra caution, especially to avoid contact with outdoor cats because they hunt or scavenge birds and therefore, are at higher risk of exposure to the virus.

Additionally, it’s advised to watch for symptoms in pets and other domestic animals, such as lethargy, loss of appetite, fever, breathing difficulty, discharge, neurologic signs (stumbling/tremors/disorientation), or sudden death, and seeking veterinary care if these occur.

This is exactly the kind of “connected systems” work UTMB One Health was built for, with a mission to improve health in humans, animals, and the environment through research and capacity building.[SUP]3[/SUP]

A partial list of participants in the “Community-Based Partnership for Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Viruses among Deceased Wild Birds, Galveston County, Texas” include:
  • Galveston County Health District: Philip K. Keiser, Amanda Wolfe
  • Galveston County Animal Services: Shivonne M. Ryans, Robert Kaufman, Alexandra Sierra, Craig Mixson, Dontrae Smith, Emily Barnes, Faith Mohr, Gretchen Gray, Lori Mead,
  • Galveston National Laboratory: Gene G. Olinger
  • Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, School of Medicine UTMB: Lyudmyla V. Marushchak, Judith U. Oguzie, Thang Nguyen-Tien, Jessica Rodriguez,Ismaila Shittu, Claudia M. Trujillo-Vargas, Susan L. F. McLellan, and Corri B. Levine.
  • Department of Epidemiology, School of School of Public and Population Health UTMB: Caitlin J. Cotter, Jillian Clack
  • UTMB’s Special Pathogens Excellence in Clinical Treatment: Susan L. F. McLellan, Corri B. Levine
References
  1. Galveston County Health District. (2025, December 1). Galveston County confirms avian influenza in local bird population. https://www.gchd.org/Home/Components/News/News/4936/65
  2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. H5 bird flu: Current situation. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/bird-flu/situation-summary/index.html
  3. The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston. About us (UTMB One Health). https://www.utmb.edu/one-health/about-us
​https://www.utmb.edu/one-health/new...al--galveston-county-s-avian-flu-surveillance
 
Community-Based Surveillance for Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Viruses among Deceased Birds

Posted March 07, 2026.
Download PDF​

View ORCID ProfileLyudmyla Marushchak, View ORCID ProfileCaitlin Cotter, View ORCID ProfileJudith Oguzie, Philip Keiser, Thang Nguyen-Tien, Jessica Rodriguez, View ORCID ProfileIsmaila Shittu, View ORCID ProfileClaudia Trujillo-Vargas, Amanda Wolff, Shivonne Ryans, Robert Kaufman, Jillian Clack, Susan McLellan, Gene Olinger, View ORCID ProfileGregory C. Gray

doi: https://doi.org/10.64898/2026.03.06.710164​

This article is a preprint and has not been certified by peer review [what does this mean?].

Abstract

Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) viruses of H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b, are spreading worldwide, posing a threat to wildlife, domestic animals, and humans. In 2025, a multidisciplinary collaboration for HPAI H5N1 surveillance among birds within Galveston County, Texas, was initiated. Between November and December 2025, oropharyngeal and cloacal swabs were collected from wild and domestic birds reported as dead or dying by Galveston County residents. Specimens were studied with molecular assays, Sanger sequencing, virus isolation, and next-generation sequencing. Molecular evidence of HPAI H5N1 was detected in 7 of 10 (70%) birds, and the virus was successfully cultured in MDCK cells. Next-generation sequencing analysis of eight influenza A genome segments demonstrated a 4:4 gene segment reassortant constellation within clade 2.3.4.4b, consistent with genotype D1.1. Community members exposed to HPAI were offered antiviral prophylaxis. No human infections were identified. This surveillance demonstrates that community involvement combined with cross-sectoral collaboration can ensure rapid detection and characterization of circulating avian influenza viruses. Sustained local surveillance is essential for early warning, risk assessment, and prevention of virus spread to poultry, mammals, and humans.
...
https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.03.06.710164v1
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Excerpt from the PDF:
...
Discussion
...
In this surveillance work, we detected avian influenza A H5N1 viruses consistent with
genotype D1.1 genome constellation from dead birds. Identification of a D1.1-like genome
constellation in the context of avian mortality is epidemiologically important, as it indicates
ongoing circulation of this reassortant virus in wild bird populations and underscores the role of
wild birds as both maintenance hosts and sources of repeated introductions into new settings.

Beyond identification of the 4:4 reassortant genotype D1.1 constellation, the detection of
specific molecular markers associated with mammalian adaptation and immune modulation is
epidemiologically significant. Substitutions in the polymerase genes (PB2 I495V, A676T; PB1
S375N) have been experimentally linked to enhanced polymerase activity and increased
virulence in mammalian hosts, suggesting potential for improved replication efficiency outside
avian species [21; 22]. NA substitutions (P272S and N329S) may influence antigenicity and
antiviral susceptibility [23], while NS1 D171N and NS1 P87S may contribute to modulation of
innate immune responses and immune evasion [24; 25]. Although no zoonotic transmission was
detected in this investigation, the presence of these mutations within wild bird–derived H5N1
viruses underscores the dynamic evolutionary landscape of clade 2.3.4.4b viruses. Continuous
genomic monitoring is therefore essential to detect accumulation of adaptive mutations that
could increase pathogenicity, transmissibility, or zoonotic risk.

From a One Health perspective, confirmation of D1.1 in dead birds also serves as an early
warning for nearby poultry operations and the potential of mammalian spillover, given that
carcasses and contaminated environments can facilitate the exposure of scavengers, predators,
and peridomestic animals. Accordingly, surveillance is essential to monitor the emergence and
spread of reassortant genotypes and to strengthen ongoing risk assessment efforts.
...
 
Detections of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in Wild Birds

Last Modified: March 18, 2026
...
State County Collection Date Date Detected HPAI Strain Bird Species WOAH Classification Sampling Method
​
TexasRandall2/4/20263/13/2026EA H5Duck (unidentified)Wild birdMorbidity/Mortality
TexasArcher12/10/20253/12/2026EA H5American wigeonWild birdHunter harvest
TexasArcher12/10/20253/12/2026EA H5American wigeonWild birdHunter harvest
​...

https://www.aphis.usda.gov/livestoc...n-influenza/hpai-detections/wild-birds?page=1
 
Detections of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in Wild Birds

Last Modified: April 17, 2026
...
State County Collection Date Date Detected HPAI Strain Bird Species WOAH Classification Sampling Method
TexasBexar3/4/20264/10/2026EA H5Black vultureWild birdMorbidity/Mortality
TexasBexar3/4/20264/10/2026EA H5Black vultureWild birdMorbidity/Mortality
TexasBexar3/31/20264/8/2026EA H5Vulture (unidentified)Wild birdMorbidity/Mortality
​...

https://www.aphis.usda.gov/livestoc...-influenza/hpai-detections/wild-birds?page=1​
 
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