Avian Flu Diary: Nevada Dept of Wildlife Warns on HPAI in Multiple Flocks of Wild Geese

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#19,374

We've a press release from Nevada's Department of Wildlife (NDOW) - posted late yesterday - warning the public that `multiple flocks' of wild geese in the Reno/Sparks region have tested positive for HPAI.

While there aren't a lot of specifics offered in this statement (precisely where, how many flocks, which subtype and/or genotype, etc.), they are urging the public to be careful around sick or dead birds, and how to report any findings.

Local media, for now, are repeating the NDOW announcement, and adding little additional detail. First, the Nevada announcement, after which I'll have a bit more.

Nevada State Agencies Respond To Bird Flu Outbreak In Geese
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW) in coordination with the Nevada Department of Agriculture, and Nevada Division of Public and Behavioral Health have confirmed an outbreak of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in multiple flocks of geese in the Reno/Sparks region. The public can help by identifying infected geese, notifying the proper officials and disposing geese safely to reduce transmission to other birds and species. HPAI is a highly contagious virus that can infect poultry, wild waterfowl, and in rare cases can infect livestock and humans.
HPAI symptoms in birds include:
Sneezing, coughing, eye & nasal discharge, swelling or fluid accumulating around one or both eyes.
Abnormal position of head or neck, poor balance and coordination, and/or circling.
A buildup of fluid in the bird’s legs and patchy redness of the skin.
Diarrhea and green discoloration of the feces.
Weakness, lethargy, depression.
Sudden death.
If the public encounters a dead goose, they are encouraged to:
Notify the landowner responsible. For geese found on City or County Parks, please contact them for removal. City of Reno Parks can be reached at (775) 334-2270; Washoe County Parks phone is (775) 828-6612.
Dispose waterfowl on your own property by double bagging it and placing it in municipal waste. Be sure to wear gloves, an N95 mask, and eye protection.
If you encounter a dead goose and have poultry, change your clothes and shoes afterwards.
If the public encounters a sick goose, they are encouraged to:
Leave the goose alone and contact NDOW at (775) 688-1500 to report the location of the goose. If this is on your property, someone will contact you as soon as possible.
Keep pets and children away.
If the public encounters a sick goose, they are encouraged to:
Leave the goose alone and contact NDOW at (775) 688-1500 to report the location of the goose. If this is on your property, someone will contact you as soon as possible.
Keep pets and children away.
If you have domestic birds, especially backyard poultry:
Keep poultry in secure enclosures away from wild birds and waterfowl.
Wear dedicated clothing and footwear when caring for poultry.
Clean and disinfect tools and equipment after use.
Store poultry feed securely and avoid placing wild bird feeders near poultry areas.
Watch for unusual behavior, signs of illness or unexpected deaths in your flock.
Avoid touching or handling sick or dead wild birds. Use gloves and protective gear when necessary.
Contact a veterinarian if birds appear sick and report high mortality rates among domestic poultry to the NDA at diseasereporting@agri.nv.gov.
HPAI rarely spreads to livestock and humans. In wild waterfowl populations, it usually displays without any signs of illness and low mortality rates. It can cause mortality in some species of geese, raptors, and game birds. Poultry are highly susceptible to HPAI and mortality rates may exceed 90%. When HPAI does spread to humans, symptoms may include fever, cough, sore throat, difficulty breathing, eye tearing/irritation/redness, headaches, runny/stuffy nose, body aches, and/or diarrhea/vomiting. Transmission to humans may occur from contact with infected or potentially infected animals, animal carcasses, or surfaces contaminated with animal excretions without using proper protective clothing/equipment. If you or your family have been exposed to a sick/dead bird and develop any of these symptoms, contact your healthcare provider and let them know about your animal exposure.

Since H5Nx established itself in North America in 2021-2022, each fall we've seen an increase in HPAI as southbound migratory birds leave their high latitude roosting areas for warmer climes.

The $64 question (see 2025's H5Nx: Reassort & Repeat) is whether this year's bird flu will be a repeat of last year's strain (predominantly D1.1), or whether new genotypes have emerged. It can sometimes takes months before that question can be answered.

Although this advisory is specifically for the Reno/Sparks area, HPAI can turn up just about anywhere in North America this time of year.

Which means, if you raise backyard birds, frequent live markets, or have outdoor pets, now is a good time to familiarize yourselves with the risks of avian flu, and the things you can do to reduce those risks.