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What to Know about Avian Flu in Wild Birds, Poultry, and Pets in Illinois

By Emily Steele
University of Illinois Extension
College of Agricultural, Consumer  and Environmental Sciences

The nationwide spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza, HPAI, also known as avian or bird flu, has many in Illinois concerned about livestock, pets, wildlife, food safety, and public health. HPAI is an extremely contagious and frequently deadly respiratory disease for domestic birds; it can kill entire flocks in a matter of days. The H5N1 strain has spread from wild birds to commercial and backyard poultry flocks as well as mammals, including dairy cattle and pets, raising concerns about how the virus might be mutating.

University of Illinois scientists, experts, and Extension specialists weigh in on bird flu’s impact and discuss safety recommendations to help prevent further spread.

Bird Flu Safety Precautions

When outdoors:

Do not handle sick or dead wildlife. Report five or more sick or dead wild birds in an area to an Illinois Department of Natural Resources District Wildlife Biologist or USDA Wildlife Services at 1-866-487-3297.

Farm workers:

Apply biosecurity measures to protect flocks and wear personal protective equipment. The Illinois Department of Public Health has specific guidelines for H5N1. Report suspected infections to the Illinois Department of Agriculture at (217) 782-4944.

Pet owners:

Monitor pets and keep them on a leash when outside. Do not let them come into contact with dead wildlife. Avoid raw pet food products.

Waterfowl hunters:

Cook game meat to an internal temperature of 165 degrees. Find more information on hunters and bird flu.

Questions? Connect with your local University of Illinois Extension office for more guidance. For full article, visit https://search.app/osUJ9Nx3gAy72GYe9.

Find more information:

• USDA, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
• Illinois Department of Public Health, H5N1 Avian Influenza
• Illinois Department of Agriculture, HPAI

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, H5 Bird Flu:

What is the risk for people? Should I change what I eat?

The CDC is currently advising that HPAI is a low risk for public health. The spread of bird flu from animals to humans is rare but not impossible. Since 2024, 67 cases of HPAI and one fatality have been reported in humans in the U.S. Many are farm workers who contracted it from infected dairy cattle or poultry. Infections have not spread from human to human. The H5N1 virus can present as mild respiratory problems, pink eye, gastrointestinal problems, or no symptoms at all in healthy people, said Dr. Lowe. Those who are more vulnerable can have severe respiratory distress.

Cooking meat and pasteurizing milk kills viruses, but the risk remains for raw products. “I would say the risk to humans is incredibly small, at this time, from the dairy products that we’ve consumed from stores,” said Professor of Animal Sciences Jim Drackley in an interview. “I would always recommend that people don’t consume raw milk, in which case the virus could still be there.”

Are there concerns about pets getting bird flu?

Cats, dogs, and other pets can contract HPAI from eating infected wild birds or eating raw meat or unpasteurized milk products from infected poultry or cows, according to Stephany Lewis, a professor of zoological medicine. Some raw pet food products have been linked to fatal HPAI infections in cats.

Do not feed pets raw meat or poultry and unpasteurized milk. When outdoors, leash and monitor pets to keep them away from wildlife and poultry. There is an extremely low risk of infected cats and dogs transmitting bird flu to humans, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association.

Bird flu is not common in wild birds, but it is more likely to be found where there are large concentrations of birds. Because birds congregate in winter and during migration, the flu is more likely to spread, said Michael Ward, professor of natural resources and environmental sciences. It mostly affects wild aquatic birds, such as ducks and geese, as well as gulls, crows, and raptors. These birds spread the disease during migration. Songbirds are not as likely to be affected. There are also cases of foxes, bobcats, skunks, and other carnivores contracting bird flu.

What if I find dead or dying birds?

Avoid handling dead or dying wild or domestic birds, and do not send birds to veterinarians or wildlife rehabilitators. Infected wild birds may not have any visible symptoms. Report five or more sick or dead wild birds to a local IDNR District Wildlife Biologist or USDA Wildlife Services at 1-866-487-3297.

Need to remove a dead bird? It is unlikely handling dead birds would lead to an infection, but it is best to follow these guidelines from the Illinois Department of Public Health. Wear gloves, safety goggles, and a mask. Avoid touching the face, and wash your hands thoroughly afterward.

For full article, visit https://search.app/osUJ9Nx3gAy72GYe9.