Boulder County, Colo. — On Feb. 11, Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) was detected in a wild goose found in a private residence near a chicken run in Louisville. Boulder County Public Health (BCPH) urges residents to exercise caution around wild birds and take steps to protect themselves and their pets.
HPAI is widespread in wild birds worldwide and can infect other wild and domestic animals. While the risk to humans remains low, it is important to avoid direct contact with sick or dead birds. HPAI does not present a food safety risk when poultry or eggs are properly handled and cooked. However, unpasteurized milk from infected animals could carry the virus, making it critical to avoid consuming raw or unpasteurized milk. Proper handling and cooking of poultry and eggs to an internal temperature of 165˚F is recommended as a general food safety precaution.
“Although the risk to humans is very low, it’s important to stay cautious and informed,” said Lane Drager, BCPH Consumer Protection Program Coordinator. “This isn’t a new issue, nor are we seeing an unusual increase in cases compared to prior seasons. However, it’s important to remind residents that while the virus remains in the environment, continue taking precautions to protect themselves and their pets by avoiding contact with wild birds.”
All bird owners, including those with backyard flocks, should take extra precautions to protect their birds from HPAI by following these biosecurity practices:
- Keep a closed flock: Decrease interactions between domestic and wild birds by keeping flocks enclosed and protected.
- Secure food sources: Keep feed and water away from wild birds to reduce exposure risks.
- Monitor for illness: Watch for signs of illness in your flock and report any suspicious symptoms to the State Veterinarian’s Office at 303-869-9130 or using the reportable disease case report form.
Signs of HPAI in birds:
- Sudden death without symptoms
- Lack of energy or appetite
- Decreased egg production or soft-shelled/misshapen eggs
- Swelling or purple discoloration of the head, eyelids, comb, or hocks
- Nasal discharge, coughing, sneezing, difficulty breathing
- Twisting of the head and neck
- Stumbling or falling down
Residents should avoid direct contact with wild birds and report any dead or sick birds found in public areas to their local animal control agency. Pet owners should ensure their cats and dogs do not pick up or eat sick or dead birds to reduce potential exposure.
If a dead bird is found on private property, residents can safely dispose of it by wearing a mask and gloves, using a shovel to pick up the carcass, double bagging it and placing the bags in municipal trash. Afterward, gloves and masks should be discarded, and hands should be thoroughly washed. If three or more dead birds are found in the same area, residents should contact their local animal control.
Residents who find living birds showing signs of illness should immediately contact their local animal control agency for assistance.
Bird owners struggling with stress or anxiety around HPAI can contact Colorado Crisis Services by calling 1-844-494-TALK (8255) or texting TALK to 38255. Farmers and ranchers can receive a voucher for six free sessions with an ag-competent provider through the Colorado Agricultural Addiction and Mental Health Program (campforhealth.org).
Bird owners seeking more resources can visit the USDA’s Defend the Flock website or PoultryBiosecurity.org.
For the latest updates on the status of the HPAI and additional recommendations, visit https://www.cdc.gov/bird-flu/situation-summary/index.html.
