#19,052
Two months ago, in Declining Mammalian Spillover Submissions To USDA Over Past 8 Months, we looked at the recent drop in reported spillovers of HPAI H5 to mammalian wildlife, despite increased detections in wild birds.
The above graph is based on collection dates, not confirmation dates (which may come months later). During the 1st 3 months of 2025, the USDA averaged 43 positive submission per month.
Over the past 11 months, the USDA has averaged 10 positive submissions per month (range 1-17), a decline of over 75%.
Reporting by states remains uneven, with 9 states (Alabama, Arkansas, Hawaii, Maryland, Mississippi, New Hampshire, South Carolina, Tennessee, and West Virginia) yet to submit a case, while New Mexico (n=73) and Colorado (n=77) top the list.
These disparities may come down to differences in climate and terrain (swamps vs. forests vs. deserts), varying activity by migratory flyways, and the fact that infected wildlife quite often die in remote, difficult to access places where their carcasses are quickly scavenged by other animals, making them unlikely to be discovered or tested.
But it also possible that some states are simply more proactive in investigating, and reporting suspected cases, than others.
While the USDA now lists 51 unique mammalian species of wildlife (excluding livestock) confirmed with HPAI H5N1 in the United States, the bulk of reports come from 10 species:
Although domestic cats lead the list, the number of reports has declined sharply over the past 12 months (see chart below). This may be due, in part, to changes ordered by the FDA in the manufacturing of pet food.
All of these numbers are presumed to represent a small fraction of the actual number of spillovers, as limited seroprevalence studies have found antibodies in a number of wildlife species (see Viruses: The Seroprevalence of Influenza A Virus Infections in Polish Cats During a Feline H5N1 Influenza Outbreak in 2023).
Despite these declining numbers a number of states have issued fresh warnings to the public over the past week on avoiding contact with wild birds and/or potentially infected mammalian wildlife.
While it has yet to be posted on a state website, yesterday media outlets in Colorado were reporting that a Skunk tests positive for Avian Influenza in Pueblo County, and warning of the risks of avian flu to both humans and pets.
Yesterday, the state of Arkansas released the following:
State Agencies Urge Public to Avoid Contact With Wild Birds Due to Avian Influenza
Posted on February 12, 2026
LITTLE ROCK, AR –Arkansas agriculture and health agencies are urging the public to avoid contact with wild birds, especially birds that appear sick or are found dead, due to detections of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in Arkansas.
Testing has confirmed HPAI in wild birds and in backyard and commercial flocks statewide. Wild birds, particularly migrating waterfowl, are the primary source of virus spread to domestic poultry and other birds.
Agencies warn that handling sick or dead wild birds, or bringing them into homes, barns, or vehicles, can spread the virus and pose risks to people, pets, and domestic flocks.
Key Guidance for the Public
Who to Call
- Do not touch, move, or attempt to rescue wild birds that appear sick or are found dead.
- Do not bring wild birds into your home, vehicle, barn, or coop for any reason.
- Keep your distance from wild birds, especially waterfowl, that appear lethargic or disoriented.
- Keep pets away from wild birds and carcasses.
- Avoid areas where large numbers of wild birds are congregating when possible.
- Hunters and bird watchers should take precautions, including wearing gloves when handling birds or equipment, washing hands thoroughly after contact, and avoiding consumption of birds that appear sick or were found dead.
Wild bird activity: Report concentrations of sick or dead wild birds, or other unusual activity, to the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission at agfc.com/education/avian-influenza/.And this week, from Texas a warning from the Amarillo health authorities (see 12 birds test 'non-negative' for bird flu after hundreds of dead birds found in Amarillo), and this reminder from the Houston Health Department.
Backyard or commercial poultry: Report suspected or confirmed poultry illness or deaths to the Arkansas Department of Agriculture’s sick bird hotline at (501) 823-1746.
Biosecurity for Bird Owners
Poultrygrowers should follow basic biosecurity practices to reduce the risk of HPAI. These include washing hands and footwear before and after contact with birds, restricting visitors to poultry areas, limiting exposure to wild birds, and quarantining new birds for at least two weeks before introducing them to existing flocks.
Human Health Precautions
Although human cases of HPAI are rare, people exposed to infected birds or contaminated environments should wash hands thoroughly with soap and water and wear appropriate protective equipment if handling birds is necessary. Anyone who develops flu-like symptoms after exposure to birds or other animals potentially infected with HPAI should contact the Arkansas Department of Health (ADH) Zoonotic Disease Section at (501) 280-4136 or adh.zoonotic@arkansas.gov. ADH can coordinate appropriate testing and, if indicated, post-exposure antiviral treatment. To help prevent unnecessary exposure to others and ensure proper evaluation, individuals are encouraged to contact ADH before seeking in-person medical care.
The public remains largely apathetic to the threat of HPAI (see Two Surveys (UK & U.S.) Illustrating The Public's Lack of Concern Over Avian Flu), and many governments appear more than happy to downplay the threat for political or economic reasons.
While the decline in reported spillovers to the USDA may turn out to be a good sign, a lack of evidence is not evidence of lack.
Given that many other signs suggest we are at or near the peak of the fall/winter avian flu season, a modicum of caution around wild birds, poultry, and other wildlife seems more than prudent.
