Warning: ‘Highly Pathogenic’ Bird Flu Has Now Spread To In Austin, Texas Ducks

Texas Parks and Wildlife has issued a warning that a highly pathogenic avian influenza (a.k.a. bird flu) has led to domestic duck deaths in the Austin area.

Multiple ducks recovered at the pond on the NE corner of Arboretum Blvd and 360 Capital of Texas Highway intersection in northwest Austin tested positive in preliminary tests for the bird flu HPAI. The birds could have caught this highly contagious disease from wild birds:

Disease experts indicate HPAI is circulating among wild birds in Texas as waterbirds and waterfowl visit their wintering grounds.

The disease can be spread from animal to animal, or indirectly in shared contaminated areas.

HPAI has now been detected in every state and across Texas, most recently Wharton, Galveston, El Paso, Potter, and Harris counties.

Texas Parks and Wildlife are encouraging wildlife rehabilitators to exercise caution, "when intaking wild animals with clinical signs consistent with HPAI and quarantine animals to limit the potential for HPAI exposure to other animals within the facility."

They are also encouraging wild game hunters to dispose of carcasses properly, wear gloves when processing game, clean and disinfect tools, cook birds properly and never eat a sick bird.

As for the rest of us, we must not allow pets to eat wild animal carcasses. Do not handle sick birds, and take down bird feeders and bird baths, which encourage congregation and spread disease.

The spread of bird flu to humans is rare, but not impossible. According to the CDC, one person has died of the disease already this year.

If you are around wild birds- or even domesticated birds with exposure to wild birds, exercise caution and common sense to keep yourself safe- and to prevent more bird deaths.