Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) or “bird flu” refers to the disease caused by infection with avian (bird) influenza (flu) Type A viruses. These viruses naturally spread among wild aquatic birds worldwide and can infect domestic poultry and other bird and animal species. Avian flu viruses do not normally infect humans. However, sporadic human infections with avian flu viruses have occurred.

Click here to visit the CDC's Frequently Asked Questions about Avian Influenza website.

To find the latest information about avian influenza in California, visit the California Department of Public Health's website.

HPAI Surveillance Information:

A wide range of land and marine mammals have been reported with HPAI A(H5N1) virus infection in multiple countries, typically resulting in signs of disease and death. HPAI A(H5N1) virus infection has been reported in wild mammals such as foxes, bears, seals, and sea lions, and in domesticated animals, including pets such as cats and dogs, farmed mink and foxes, and livestock such as goats and cows. In the United States, HPAI A(H5N1) virus detections in mammals have been reported in more than 20 states. 

Click here to visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC's) website for a summary of current HPAI surveillance in the United States.

Click here to visit the United States Department of Agriculture website for information about current HPAI surveillance in wildlife and domestic animals.

For information about location of avian influenza detections in California, visit the California Department of Food and Agriculture's Avian Influenza Updates website.

HPAI Resources for People Who Work with Wild Birds, Poultry, and Farm Animals:

While the risk of HPAI to the general public is currently low, federal, state, and local health officials are closely monitoring the situation. People who work with wild birds, poultry, cattle, and other farm animals should take steps to reduce their risk of exposure to HPAI and other diseases that affect both animals and people.

People who keep pet birds and poultry should:

• Whenever possible, secure birds inside an enclosure that wild birds cannot access.
• Remove bird feeders and bird baths from property to avoid attracting wild birds.
• Store feed in sealed containers; clean up spilled or uneaten feed promptly.
• Use water from commercial sources rather than open ponds shared with wild birds.
• Limit visitors to your bird housing area and avoid contact with other birds or flocks as much as possible.
• Clean and disinfect clothing, footwear, and equipment before entering bird housing areas or handling birds.
• Wash hands with soap and water before and after handling birds
• Wash vehicles in a commercial car wash after driving onto other farms or areas with birds.

What to Do if You See a Sick or Dead Bird:

If you see a bird that appears sick or that is dead, do not touch it. If you must touch it, wear a mask and gloves. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water afterwards.

To report sick or dead wild birds, call the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) at 916-358-2790 or visit the CDFW Mortality Reporting website.

To report sick or dead pet birds or commercial flocks, call the California Department of Food and Agriculture at 866-922-2473. There may be a fee assessed for pet birds and commercial flocks.

Additional Resources for People Who Work with Poultry and Livestock:

• CalOSHA: What Are Employers Required to Do to Protect Workers
  
• CDC: Information for Workers Exposed to H5N1 Bird Flu English Spanish
• CDC: Interim Guidance for Employers to Reduce the Risk of Novel Influenza A Exposure for People Working with or Exposed to Animals English Spanish
  
• CDC How to Prevent Avian Flu Viruses in People English Spanish
• CDC What Causes Bird Flu in Humans English Spanish
• CDFA Biosecurity for Backyard Birds – Simple Tips to Keep Your Small Poultry Flock Healthy English

Enhanced Surveillance:

County of Monterey Health Department is conducting enhanced influenza surveillance.  Acute care hospitals should submit the following specimens to the County of Monterey Health Department's Public Health Laboratory for additional testing:

1. All influenza A positive patients (inpatient and outpatient who report one of the following exposures:
   • Contact with wild birds, wild mammals, domestic poultry, cattle and/or other farm animals in the 10 days prior to symptom onset; or
   • Close contact with a person who is ill or has recently been ill who had contact with wild birds, wild mammals, domestic poultry, cattle and/or other farm animals in the 10 days prior to symptom onset.
2. All influenza A positive patients with severe illness requiring ICU admission.
3. All influenza A positive patients who expire.
4. Other influenza A positive patients where influenza subtype (H1, H3, etc.) is unknown (PCR positive only).

For more information about summertime enhanced influenza surveillance, please contact the Health Department's Epidemiology & Surveillance Unit at 831-755-4698.

Infection Prevention and Control Recommendations for Patients with Suspected or Confirmed Avian Influenza:

• Consider avian influenza A infection in a patient with:
  • Signs and Symptoms consistent with acute respiratory tract infection or conjunctivitis, AND
  • Exposure in the lat 10 days to animals or people with suspected or confirmed avian influenza A infection.
• If a case is suspected, immediately mask the patient and place them in an airborne infection isolation room (AIIR) with the door closed, white in the AIIR, the patient's mask may be removed.
• If an AIIR is not available, place the patient in a single-patient room with the door closed and have the patient remain masked.
• Use personal protective equipment that includes:
  • Respiratory protection (fit-tested N95 respirator or higher level protection)
  • Eye protection (goggles or face shield)
  • Gown and gloves
• Use diligent hand hygiene before and after contact with the patient.
• Limit room entry to essential personnel.  Limit transport of patient outside their room.
• If an non-AIIR is used, after the patient leaves, the room should not be reused and unprotected individuals should not enter until sufficient time has elapsed for enough air changes to remove potential infectious particles, per CDC guidance.  For example, in a patient-care area with 6 air exchanges per hour, the time to removal of airborne contaminants with 99.9% efficiency is 69 minutes.

See below for additional infection control recommendations.

Other Resources for Healthcare Providers:

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC's): Interim Guidance for Infection Control Within Healthcare Settings When Caring for Confirmed Cases, Probable Cases, and Cases Under Investigation for Infection with Novel Influenza A Viruses Associated with Severe Disease
• California Department of Public Health (CDPH): Avian Influenza Information for Healthcare Professionals
• County of Monterey Health Department: Public Health Laboratory's Interim Guidance on Testing and Specimen Collection for Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza A(H5N1) - April 12, 2024

For Veterinarians:

• CDC: Considerations for Veterinarians Evaluating and Handling Cats Potentially Exposed to HPAI A(H5N1) Virus