Date: Wednesday, September 2, 2026
Author:
Kim Vaughn
Protect Your Flock: Bird flu risks increase with fall migration
As migratory birds fly south through Washington this fall, they present a risk of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), commonly known as bird flu. This puts both backyard and commercial flocks at risk. Avian influenza is a deadly disease that can affect domestic chickens, turkeys, ducks, geese, and many other poultry and game birds.
Since the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) outbreak began in the United States in February 2022, 2,243 poultry flocks have been confirmed infected as of September2026. These include:
- 1,032 commercial flocks
- 1,211 backyard flocks
In Washington state, 71 total flocks have been affected by HPAI, impacting 4,133,418 birds across 26 counties. The most recent detection in the state occurred in March 2026 in a backyard flock in Skagit County.
- 4 commercial flocks (one infected 3 times)
- 67 backyard flocks
Wild birds, especially waterfowl such as ducks and geese, can carry the virus without showing any signs of illness. This means your flock could be exposed before you are aware of a threat. Now is the time to take steps to protect your birds and Washington’s agricultural communities.
See where the birds currently are by tracking migration through the Cornell Lab BirdCast webpage: https://birdcast.org/migration-tools/live-migration-maps/
What bird owners need to know
Dr. Amber Itle, Washington State Veterinarian, explains that waterfowl from around the world often gather in Alaska during the summer. While there, they mix, exchange, and reshape viruses. When they migrate through Washington in the fall, they can carry new strains of avian influenza with them. She noted that bird flu can spread and progress rapidly. A flock can appear healthy one day and experience sudden, high mortality the next. Both backyard flocks and commercial poultry operations are at risk.
Dr. Dana Dobbs, WSDA Avian Health Lead adds, “We typically see spikes in HPAI detections during migration. Be alert for unexpected illness or several deaths all at once. The birds may show respiratory signs, ruffled feathers, reluctance to walk, stumbling, decreased egg production and appetite. This is especially true if your flock has access to ponds, irrigation canals, lakes, or other places visited by wild waterfowl.”
How to protect your flock this fall
Bird flu can spread quickly, but there are simple steps you can take to help reduce the risk of transmission:
- Keep your birds, food, and water enclosed or covered to prevent contact with wild birds.
- Stay away from areas where waterfowl gather, including lakes, ponds, and canals.
- Regularly disinfect coops, tools, and footwear.
- Wear gloves, separate clothing, and dedicated boots when caring for your flock.
- Limit visitors and never share equipment with other bird owners.
- Watch for signs such as coughing, sneezing, lethargy, or sudden deaths among multiple birds within a short period of time.
If you notice signs of suspected bird flu illness or multiple unexplained deaths in your birds, call the WSDA Avian Health Program at 1-800-606-3056. **Please do not call the WSDA sick bird hotline for routine veterinary questions regarding flock health or care. Your private veterinarian is an excellent resource for this type of information.
To report sick or dead wild birds, use this reporting tool.
Food and public safety
There is no risk to the food supply because infected birds and eggs are not permitted to enter the market. Additionally, no cases of avian flu have been detected on Washington dairy farms, and the overall risk to human health remains low.
Although rare, human cases have been reported among people who had direct, prolonged exposure to infected birds. These cases involved mild symptoms, and there has been no evidence of human-to-human transmission.
Whenever possible, avoid handling dead birds. If you must handle potentially infected or dead birds, wear protective gear; including gloves, goggles, an N95 mask, a hair covering, coveralls, and rubber boots. Be sure disinfect or wash non-disposable items as soon as possible. The Avian Health Program can provide further guidance during sick bird call investigations for qualifying cases.
Resources:
For full guidance and up-to-date information, visit our
HPAI webpage.
Federal government webpages:
Washington State government webpages:
Washington State Department of Agriculture blogs:
Other resources:
agr.wa.gov
