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Veterinary Public Health Program
313 N Figueroa St. Rm 1127
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Tel (213) 288-7060
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vet@ph.lacounty.gov
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wild birds and flu virus

H5 Bird Flu in Animals

Number of bird cases in LA County in 2024: 1

Number of mammal cases in LA County in 2024: 0

See CDC: H5 Bird Flu: Current Situation Summary for national surveillance data

As of November 1, 2024, H5 Bird Flu has been detected in wastewater in Los Angeles County.

The risk of H5 bird flu spreading to people in LA County remains low, but Public Health is closely monitoring the situation. For information on H5 bird flu in people, see LAC DPH Avian Influenza in Humans.

Sick or dead birds should be reported immediately.

  • Report sick or dead birds to your local animal control agency. They might be able to collect and hold it for H5 bird flu testing.  Waterfowl, shorebirds, medium or large birds, and poultry are the best types of birds to test for H5 bird flu. Call 211 to find your local animal control agency.
  • Report sick or dead animals that may have had contact with sick or dead birds (for example, community cats, raccoons, skunks).
  • Also report the bird or animal to Public Health online.  Let us know if you were able to contact your local animal control.
  • If your pet is sick, please contact your veterinarian.
H5 Bird Flu in LA County

H5 bird flu is a viral infectious disease first identified in birds. It is also known as Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) H5N1, HPAI H5N1, Avian Influenza H5N1, Influenza A (H5N1) or even just H5N1. The virus spreads through direct bird-to-bird contact or indirectly when the virus is on clothing, shoes, vehicles, rodents, insects, feed, water, feathers, etc. Infected birds release the virus in bodily fluids such as mucus, saliva, and feces.

The current strain of H5 bird flu that is circulating in the U.S. and worldwide is causing outbreaks in wild birds, poultry, wild mammals including seals and sea lions, and domestic mammals including dairy cows. This is the first time these bird flu viruses have been found to be spreading in cows. Pasteurization kills the virus in milk and pasteurized milk products are safe to consume. Avoid drinking unpasteurized milk or eating unpasteurized milk products. It is safe to eat properly handled and cooked poultry, eggs, and beef in the U.S.

The risk of H5 bird flu spreading to people from animals or in animal products is currently low in California. LA County Public Health is testing for bird flu in wild birds, domestic birds, and select mammals.

Wild Birds / Poultry

The first cases of H5 bird flu were confirmed in a birds in Los Angeles (LA) County in September 2022. These cases were part of the ongoing nationwide H5 bird flu outbreak. Between September 2022 and April 2023, 30 cases in birds were confirmed in LA County. After several months without any cases, four infected birds were found again between November 2023-January 2024. See case details below.  There have been no detections of H5 bird flu in backyard or commercial poultry in LA County.

We collaborate with animal control agencies, wildlife rehabilitation facilities, the LA Zoo, and other LA County agencies to test a wide range of wild birds and poultry.

H5 Bird Flu in birds in Los Angeles County: November 2023 - January 2024
Maps of birds with HPAI H5N1 LA County 2022-2024

This map displays cases identified in the past avian influenza season. Cases of avian influenza are typically seen cyclically in the fall and early winter based on bird migration patterns.

Detections of H5 Bird Flu in Los Angeles County - confirmed by National Veterinary Services Laboratory
Date Species Location
January 2024 Western Gull Manhattan Beach
December 2023 Canada Goose Alhambra
November 2023 Raven Eagle Rock
November 2023 Western Gull El Segundo
March 2023 Western Gull Torrance
January 2023 Common Loon Malibu
December 2022 Turkey Vulture Encino
November 2022 Seagull Bellflower
November 2022 Hawk Los Angeles 90024
November 2022 Canada Goose Silverlake
November 2022 Great Horned Owl Los Angeles 90039
November 2022 Canada Goose Los Angeles 90031
November 2022 Canada Goose Long Beach
November 2022 Greater White Fronted Goose Irwindale
November 2022 Canada Goose La Mirada
November 2022 Canada Goose Pico Rivera
October 2022 Canada Goose Alhambra
October 2022 Canada Goose Pasadena
October 2022 Canada Goose Reseda
October 2022 Canada Goose Los Angeles 90015
October 2022 Canada Goose Calabasas
October 2022 Snowy Egret Los Angeles 91302
October 2022 Canada Goose Los Angeles 91302
October 2022 Canada Goose Pasadena
October 2022 Greater White Fronted Goose Los Angeles 90265
October 2022 Canada Goose Los Angeles 91406
October 2022 Canada Goose Los Angeles 91406
October 2022 Canada Goose Long Beach
October 2022 Canada Goose Long Beach
October 2022 Canada Goose Long Beach
October 2022 Canada Goose Cerritos
October 2022 Canada Goose Los Angeles 90056
October 2022 Black Crowned Night Heron Long Beach
September 2022 Canada Goose Los Angeles 90045
Dairy Cattle

H5 Bird Flu was detected in dairy cows in the USA in March 2024 for the first time, and first detected in dairy cows in California in August 2024. So far there have been no detections of bird flu virus in dairy cattle in Los Angeles County. LA County Department of Public Health (LACDPH) is working with the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) and industry stakeholders to protect both human health as well as animal health.

Stay informed:

Mammals

LACDPH began testing for H5 bird flu in wild mammals, marine mammals, and domestic mammals in May 2023. So far there have been no reports of any mammals testing positive for H5 bird flu in LA County. We collaborate with animal control agencies, wildlife rehabilitation facilities, and the local zoo to test a wide range of animals.  Some examples of wild and marine mammals tested include skunks, raccoons, coyotes, sea lions, and seals.  Examples of domestic mammals tested include dogs, cats, and chinchillas.

Both domestic pets and wild mammals may be affected by H5 bird flu. To protect your pets, keep them away from wildlife, including wild birds, and avoid feeding raw or undercooked poultry products and unpasteurized milk or milk products.

Best Practices to Prevent Infection by H5 Bird Flu

Follow these best practices to prevent the spread of H5 bird flu.

For the Public

The general public is at low risk for H5 bird flu infection. The following steps help prevent the spread of the virus between birds, and to people and pets:

  • Take down bird feeders and bird baths. This reduces interactions between wild and domestic birds and reduces contamination of the ground/environment with wild bird droppings.
  • Avoid contact with wild birds, even if they don't look sick.
  • Avoid surfaces that may be contaminated with bird feces.
  • Keep pets away from wild birds.
  • Do not feed raw dairy products or raw/uncooked poultry products to pets.
  • Do not handle sick or injured birds. Contact your local animal control agency for help.
  • Report sick or dead birds to your local animal control agency. They might be able to collect and hold it for H5 bird flu testing. 
    • Waterfowl, shorebirds, medium or large birds, and poultry are the best types of birds to test for H5 bird flu.
    • Call 211 to find your local animal control agency.
  • Report other sick or dead animals that may have had contact with sick or dead birds (for example, community cats, raccoons, skunks).
  • Please also report the bird or other animals to Public Health online.  Let us know if you were able to contact your local animal control agency.
  • If your pet is sick, please contact your veterinarian.

Resources:

For Farm Workers

Personal protective equipment, or PPE, is critical for those who work with potentially infected animals and/or materials, including raw milk.

Recommended PPE includes:

  • NIOSH approved respirators (e.g. N-95)
  • Disposable gloves
  • Safety goggles or a faceshield
  • Disposable or fluid-resistant coveralls and aprons
  • Rubber boots or boot covers
  • Disposable head/hair cover

Additionally, farm workers who have regular contact with cows or animal products should take these steps to reduce their risk of getting sick:

  • Use recommended PPE, especially if you work in the sick/hospital pen at the farm
  • If you come into contact with raw milk when milking or handling udders, wash your hands with soap and water before touching your face or eyes
  • Do not take home raw milk, eat raw milk, feed it to pets, or allow any other animals to access and consume it
  • Reach out to a veterinarian for testing when cows have mastitis (inflammation in the udder) or any other signs of illness

Resources:

For Veterinary Health Providers

Staff and volunteers working with sick wild birds or poultry in veterinary health, animal control, and/or animal shelters may be at higher risk of exposure to H5 bird flu than the general public. To stay safe, follow these best practices:

  1. Avoid direct, unprotected contact with sick birds, carcasses, bird feces, or contaminated surfaces and water.
  2. Use recommended personal protective equipment (PPE) when handling sick wild birds, poultry, or contaminated equipment.
    Recommended PPE includes :
    • NIOSH approved respirators (e.g. N-95)
    • Disposable gloves
    • Safety goggles or a face shield
    • Disposable or fluid-resistant coveralls and aprons
    • Rubber boots or boot covers
    • Disposable head/hair cover
  3. Put on and remove PPE in separate clean areas.
  4. Clean and disinfect reusable PPE (like rubber boots) with EPA-approved disinfectants.
  5. Avoid touching eyes, nose, and mouth after handling contaminated materials, and while wearing PPE. Wash or sanitize hands immediately after removing PPE.

Resources:

Frequently Asked Questions

The virus spreads through direct bird-to-bird contact or indirectly when virus is on clothing, footwear, vehicles, rodents, insects, feed, water, feathers, etc. Birds release or shed the virus in bodily fluids such as respiratory droplets, mucus, saliva, and feces.

At this time, the risk to the general public's health from the current H5 bird flu virus is low.  Some people may have job-related (animal control, veterinary clinic, poultry processing plants, etc.) or recreational exposures that put them at higher risk of infection.  People who work with or handle sick birds may consider using additional personal protective equipment (PPE). For more information about protective actions that should be taken when handling birds potentially infected with avian influenza viruses, review CDC prevention strategies.

Monitoring for human infection and person-to-person spread is extremely important for public health because of the possibility that bird flu viruses could change and gain the ability to spread easily between people.

H5 bird flu is primarily a disease of poultry (chicken, turkeys) and may cause significant loss in backyard and commercial flocks. In wild birds, the infection may cause mild to severe illness depending on the species affected.

affect other animals besides birds?

H5 bird flu has been reported to affect other types of animals including those that share environments with infected birds or that scavenge or eat infected birds.  Globally and in the US, other animals infected with H5 bird flu include skunks, foxes, mountain lions, bears, raccoons, opossums, bobcats, a coyote, harbor seals, a river otter, baby goats, and a bottlenose dolphin.  A number of these animals were found dead in groups which prompted investigation and testing by various agencies. For more information about H5 bird flu in mammals, see surveillance data from USDA.

affect pets?

Domestic pets have also been found to be positive for H5 bird flu and can die from the infection.  In April 2023, a dog in Ontario, Canada tested positive for H5 bird flu and died after chewing on a dead goose.  This is the first case reported globally of a dog contracting this strain of the virus.  Three cats in the US (1 in Wyoming in April 2023 and 2 in Nebraska in January 2023) suspected of hunting and eating wild birds tested positive for H5 bird flu.  The 2 cats in Nebraska showed neurologic signs (tremors, seizures, walking in circles) prior to dying.  To prevent infection in pets, they should not have contact with wildlife including wild birds, and not consume raw or uncooked poultry and unpasteurized milk or milk products.

in poultry (chickens, turkeys)?
  • Sudden death of bird with no clinical symptoms
  • Lack of energy
  • Loss of appetite
  • Swelling of head, comb, eyelid, wattles and hocks
  • Discoloration of wattles, combs and legs
  • Nasal discharge
  • Coughing
  • Sneezing
  • Neurological signs (incoordination)
  • Diarrhea
in wild birds?
  • No symptoms
  • Neurological signs (incoordination, swimming in circles, weak)
  • Sudden death
Resources & News
State & Federal Resources
California Department of Public Health
Influenza in Animals
California Department of Food and Agriculture
Avian Influenza in Birds - Updates
Avian Influenza in Livestock - Updates
California Department of Fish and Wildlife
Information Sheet: Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza
US Department of Agriculture
Detections of HPAI in the United States
Detections of HPAI in livestock in the United States
US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
H5N1 Bird Flu: Current Situation Summary
Information on Bird Flu
If you become sick after exposure to birds with bird flu
Recommendations for Worker Protection and Use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to Reduce Exposure to HPAI H5 Viruses / (En Español)
US Food and Drug Administration
FDA: Q & A on Milk Safety during HPAI outbreaks
US Environmental Protection Agency
Disinfectants Registered to Use Against Avian Influenza
Flyers / Handouts
For Animal Control & Veterinary Facilities
For Farm Workers
For the Public
News
Recent Headlines:
Animal Health Alert:
Animal Health Update:
LAC DPH Press Release:
Guidance
HPAI Guidance for Animal Control, Shelter and Veterinary Facilities in Los Angeles County
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