Avian Flu (Bird Flu)

Report Sick and Dead Wildlife

What is avian influenza?

Avian influenza, or “bird flu,” is a disease caused by influenza viruses that usually spread between birds. Avian influenza viruses are common in wild birds, especially waterfowl, shorebirds and raptors.

Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) refers to viruses that can produce severe and often fatal disease in domestic poultry. The term HPAI does not necessarily mean that the virus will also cause illness in humans. The risk of HPAI to the general public is low.

For more information about avian influenza, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website.

What are the signs of HPAI in birds?

Clinical signs of HPAI in birds include one or more of the following:

• Sudden death
• Nervous system impairment (e.g., lack of coordination, swimming in circles, tremors, twisted neck)
• Lack of energy and appetite
• Decrease in egg production, and/or soft-shelled or misshapen eggs
• Swelling of the head, eyelids, wattles, hocks, and comb
• Purple discoloration of wattles, combs, and legs
• Nasal discharge, cough or sneezing
• Diarrhea

What is the risk to people?

The CDC considers the risk to the general public to be low. However, cases of HPAI in humans have been increasing since early March 2024, so it is important to take steps to prevent exposure. Avoid contact with waterfowl and only observe them from a distance. For information on preventing exposure and symptoms in humans visit the Indiana Department of Health's Avian Influenza web page.

If you find sick or dead waterfowl, do not touch or handle them. Please report sick or dead waterfowl at on.IN.gov/sickwildlife.

If you have been exposed to any animals infected with HPAI and develop symptoms, please contact your healthcare provider.

Avian Influenza and Hunting

Hunters are at low risk for contracting HPAI by hunting waterfowl or other wildlife. Indiana DNR strongly recommends that hunters take precautions against exposure by avoiding handling birds and avoiding waterfowl that are acting strangely.

The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service recommends that hunters do the following when handling wild game to prevent possible exposure to HPAI or other potential pathogens:

• Do not harvest birds that appear obviously sick or are found dead.
• Process birds outdoors or in a well-ventilated area.
• Wear gloves and wash hands after handling the carcass.
• Disinfect all equipment that comes into contact with dead birds (e.g., knives, surfaces).
• Refrain from eating, drinking, using nicotine products, and touching your eyes during processing.
• Double bag feathers and all bird remains prior to disposal. Place bird remains in the inner bag and tie closed. Dispose of gloves in the outer bag before tying closed.
• Cook meat thoroughly to an internal temperature of 165^oF.

Domestic dogs may also become infected with HPAI if they come into contact with sick or dead infected birds and their environments. The risk to dogs is unknown. If your hunting dog has come into contact with dead waterfowl and starts displaying signs such as persistent cough, thick nasal discharge, fever (over 103^oF while at rest), lethargy, runny eyes, or reduced appetite, consult your veterinarian.

More information about safe hunting practices can be found at USDA-APHIS.

What animals get avian influenza?

HPAI affects wild and domestic bird species, primarily waterfowl, raptors, and domestic poultry. Wild turkeys, shorebirds, and songbirds can also be affected by HPAI, but this is rare. Some birds (such as birds that use backyard feeders) can carry the virus without becoming sick. Raptors can become infected by eating infected prey or by coming in contact with surfaces that are contaminated with the virus. You can track wild bird HPAI findings on the USDA APHIS website.

Some avian influenza viruses can affect mammals. As of 2024, HPAI has been detected in mice, red foxes, opossums, skunks, raccoons, bobcats, and other wild mammals. It has also been reported in several domestic species, including cattle, goats, pigs, horses, cats, dogs, and ferrets. To see a current update of HPAI in domestic livestock, visit the USDA’s Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Detections in Livestock page.

What is DNR Fish & Wildlife doing?

The Division of Fish & Wildlife (DFW) has partnered with USDA-APHIS to increase wild bird surveillance by testing hunter-harvested waterfowl. DFW personnel continually collect samples from wild birds across the state for HPAI surveillance using reports from the public that are submitted to the Sick and Dead Wildlife Reporting tool.

If you encounter a wild bird species that is displaying signs of HPAI, please report it at on.IN.gov/sickwildlife. When wildlife in Indiana test positive for avian influenza, DNR shares information with Hoosiers who are most likely to interact with infected animals to help them mitigate the risk of spreading the disease.

What is the status of avian influenza in Indiana?

In February 2022, HPAI H5N1 was first confirmed in a commercial turkey farm in Indiana in Dubois County. Since then, commercial and backyard flocks have tested positive for HPAI, as well as commercial poultry operations. Find up-to-date information on HPAI in poultry facilities on the Indiana State Board of Animal Health’s (BOAH) HPAI website.

Since 2022, wild birds in Indiana that have confirmed HPAI H5N1 include American coots, green-winged teal, American white pelican, bald eagle, barred owl, blue-winged teal, Canada goose, double-crested cormorant, Eastern screech owl, gadwall, great horned owl, mallard, peregrine falcon, red-tailed hawk, redhead duck, snow goose, tundra swan, Northern pintail, Northern shoveler, wood duck, American black duck, and an unidentified hawk. Find a list of all wild birds that have tested positive for HPAI on the USDA APHIS website.

How is HPAI spread?

Once introduced, HPAI can spread quickly from direct bird-to-bird or bird-to-mammal contact. It can also be spread indirectly through manure, equipment, vehicles, egg flats, crates, clothing and shoes, water, and, potentially, feed. Research continues to determine if there are other ways it can spread indirectly. HPAI can survive for long periods of time in water and at moderate temperatures, and the virus can survive indefinitely in frozen conditions.

How can you prevent the spread of HPAI?

Practice proper hygiene and good biosecurity. If you keep birdfeeders and birdbaths on your property, clean them regularly with a 10% bleach and hot water solution, rinse thoroughly, and then allow them to completely dry before refilling. Clean up birdseed that has fallen below birdfeeders. Do not feed wild birds, especially waterfowl, near domestic flocks. If you come in contact with any bird that appears unhealthy, wash your hands with soap and water and change clothing and shoes before coming in contact with a domestic flock or captive birds. Read more about biosecurity for domestic birds.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service recommends that waterfowl hunters wear protective clothing such as face masks and gloves to process birds, and to process birds in a well-ventilated area or outdoors.

Report sick birds or unusual bird deaths to state/federal officials through the following:

Poultry or Domestic Mammals: BOAH healthy bird hotline: 1-866-536-7593
Wild Birds: DNR Fish & Wildlife: Sick or dead wildlife can be reported at on.IN.gov/sickwildlife.
Human Health: For human health concerns, call the Indiana Department of Health at 317-233-1325

Additional Resources

• For additional information about avian influenza, visit the BOAH website or the USDA APHIS website.
• Find more information on human exposure on the Indiana Department of Health's website.