Navigation

Public Records Request
Natural Resources Building
P.O. Box 42560
1111 Washington ST SE
Olympia, WA 98504-2560
Phone: (360) 902-1800

WSDA Blog

Back
Home / About WSDA / News and Media Relations / Blog Posts

What do you need today?

Wednesday, August 27, 2025
Kim Vaughn

Protect Your Flock: Bird flu risks rise with fall migration

As migratory birds return to Washington this fall, they bring with them the continued threat of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), or bird flu, putting both backyard and commercial flocks at risk. Avian influenza is a deadly disease for chickens, turkeys, ducks, geese, and a variety of other poultry and game birds. 




Since the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) outbreak began in the United States in February 2022, there have been 1,709 confirmed poultry flocks infected as of July 2025. These include:

  • 788 commercial flocks
  • 921 backyard flocks

In Washington state there have been 55 total flocks affected by HPAI. This involved 2,167,079 birds across 20 counties. The last detection in the state was Feb. 10, 2025 in a Mason County backyard flock.

  • 1 commercial flock (infected 3 times)
  • 52 backyard flocks

Wild birds, especially waterfowl like ducks and geese, often carry the virus without showing symptoms. That means your flock could be exposed before you realize there’s a threat. The time to act is now to protect your birds and our state’s agricultural communities.

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, where they mix, exchange, and reshape viruses. As they migrate to Washington in the fall, they can bring new strains of avian influenza—some of which have spilled over into dairy cattle. “Every backyard flock is vulnerable right now. The biggest risk factors include water features like ponds or food sources that attract migrating waterfowl. People need to be alert — we often see a spike in bird flu cases this time of year.”

She noted that bird flu can progress rapidly. A flock might appear healthy one day and suffer sudden, high mortality the next. Both backyard flocks and commercial poultry farms are at risk.


How to protect your flock this fall

Bird flu spreads quickly, but you can take simple steps to help stop it:

  • Keep your birds and their food and water enclosed or under cover to avoid contact with wild birds.
  • Avoid areas where waterfowl gather, like lakes, ponds, and canals.
  • Disinfect coops, tools, and footwear regularly.
  • Wear gloves, separate clothes, and dedicated boots when tending to your flock.
  • Limit visitors and never share equipment with other bird owners.
  • Watch for signs like coughing, sneezing, lethargy, or sudden death in multiple birds over a short period of time.

If you see signs of illness or unexplained deaths in your birds, call the WSDA Avian Health Program at 1-800-606-3056.

To report sick or dead wild birds, use this reporting tool.


Food and public safety

There is no risk to the food supply, infected birds or eggs are not allowed into the market. Additionally, no cases of avian flu have been detected on Washington dairy farms, and human health risk remains low.
Though rare, human cases have been reported elsewhere in people with direct, prolonged exposure to infected birds. These cases involved mild symptoms and no evidence of human-to-human transmission.

If you must handle potentially infected birds, use protective gear: gloves, goggles, N95 mask, hair covering, coveralls, and rubber boots.

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: