Avian influenza is a naturally occurring virus that is very common in wild birds. However, the influenza virus mutates easily, and sometimes it changes into a version that is more deadly to birds than other strains. The differentiation between “highly pathogenic” and “low pathogenic” avian influenza is based on its potential to kill poultry; highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) is more deadly to poultry than low pathogenic avian influenza. There have been numerous outbreaks of HPAI worldwide, at different times throughout history. This particular outbreak is unique in that it is very deadly and highly infectious to wild birds and some mammals in addition to poultry.

In early 2022, the Eurasian H5 strain of HPAI was detected in birds in the United States.

As of January 2025, according to data compiled by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), avian influenza H5N1 has been detected in almost 18 million commercial and backyard poultry, dairy, and swine, over 11,000 individual wild birds, and almost 500 wild mammals in the U.S. Wild bird infections include non-symptomatic waterfowl, as well as in sick and dead waterfowl and other wild birds.

Yes. Multiple confirmed cases of HPAI have been reported in Santa Barbara County.

While HPAI arrived from Europe to North America in December 2021, it didn’t arrive in California until July 2022 and was not detected in southern California until October 2022. The first case in Santa Barbara county was detected on February 10, 2023. While that may seem reassuring, it does not mean it has not been here (in fact it is very likely that it has, as our neighboring county detected cases as early as October 2021).

SBWCN has been operating since 2022 as if HPAI is common in our region to ensure biosecurity at our center.

This virus is spread similarly to all other flu viruses. It is shed in respiratory secretions, saliva, and fecal material. It can be contracted by breathing or ingesting viral particles. These particles can be carried from one place to another on fomites, which is the term for physical objects that contribute to spreading disease such as clothes, shoes, blankets, crates, etc. A few of the ways that birds can spread it between one another (and to susceptible mammals) include sharing food, water, physical space, and preying on one another. The virus can live in the environment for days to months depending on the temperature and material it is in.

Although avian influenza viruses naturally circulate among waterfowl, the strain of H5N1 currently in circulation in the U.S. has been causing illness and death in a higher diversity of wild bird and mammal species than during previous avian influenza outbreaks. 

Wild animal species at highest risk of infection with HPAI include waterfowl (swans, geese, ducks), waterbirds (gulls, terns, cranes, herons, shorebirds), and birds and mammals that prey or scavenge on these species (eagles, hawks, falcons, corvids, vultures, foxes, seals, sea lions, bobcats, deer mice, domestic cats). Infection among songbirds has been reported during this outbreak, but is much less common.

Infected birds and mammals may not always appear sick, but possible symptoms include nervous system symptoms (circling, head tilt, seizures) and respiratory symptoms (sneezing, difficulty breathing, discharge from the eyes). Other signs have been documented in birds, including skin lesions and gastrointestinal (digestive system) disease. Sometimes birds can simply have general signs of illness where they appear sleepy, weak, or stop eating.

HPAI is highly contagious and deadly in commercial and backyard poultry, including chickens, turkeys, and ducks. Other domestic animals, including cattle and swine, can also become infected. As of January 2025, almost 100 domestic cats have been diagnosed with HPAI, following exposure to sick or dead birds or contaminated raw diets.

Yes, however according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the public health risk associated with this HPAI outbreak remains low. Bird flu outbreaks are largely an animal health issue.

While this virus does not have the same severity rate in humans as some of the previous HPAI virus outbreaks, people are increasingly contracting it, typically due to contact with infected dairy cattle or poultry. As of January 2025, 66 human cases have been reported, with one death.

-Do not touch or handle any bird, mammal, or other animal that appears sick or is found dead.

-Prevent contact between wild birds and your domestic animals, including shared food and water sources. Keep cats indoors and avoid feeding them raw meat, milk, or eggs.

-If contact with wild birds or domestic poultry cannot be avoided, wear gloves, an N-95 face mask, hair covering, protective glasses or goggles, and a long-sleeved full body gown or coveralls.

-Bird owners should review their biosecurity activities to assure the health of their birds. More information is available through the California Department of Food and Agriculture and USDA Defend the Flock.

SBWCN is taking proactive measures to prevent the spread of disease at our facility. These implemented protocols include isolated exam areas, increased personal protective equipment, quarantining high risk species, and various other protocols to ensure the health of all animals, staff, and volunteers.

SBWCN is following guidance from CDFW and will continue to update protocols as needed.

Things certainly are working differently at SBWCN under the protocols developed to respond to HPAI. While these protocols and procedures have posed a number of challenges, they are so important to keep the animals in our care safe and allow us to continue to fulfill our mission to rehabilitate and release back to the wild as many animals as possible. Some of these protocols and changes have included: Extensive training with our staff and volunteers, changing the process of intaking animals into the center, increasing biosecurity and disinfection measures, developing designated quarantine areas, and investing in PPE for staff and volunteers. SBWCN has worked with partner organizations across California and the country to develop protocols for HPAI and share information. SBWCN also works under the guidance of the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and sends suspect cases for testing to CDFW’s lab.

While this all may seem extreme to some, HPAI is devastating and has been shown to significantly affect wild animal populations across the world. If HPAI is detected in an animal, they must be humanely euthanized to end their suffering and prevent the spread of HPAI.

Part of SBWCN’s new intake procedure involves stopping all members of the public and wildlife being brought into the facility at the front of the property. A screening shed has been erected where staff examine any animal suspected of having HPAI. Animals that are exhibiting symptoms of HPAI or are high risk carriers are immediately quarantined from the rest of the center, and only handled by highly trained staff wearing full PPE. All animals deemed safe to admit into the hospital immediately (i.e.: asymptomatic songbirds, mammals, marsupials, and reptiles), are placed in the low risk triage area or brought by staff directly to the intake area.

Because HPAI can be tracked into the facility on the bottom of our shoes, all staff and volunteers wear a separate pair of shoes at SBWCN, or wear shoe coverings while on the property. Everyone must walk through foot baths to disinfect shoes and shoe coverings when entering and exiting the wildlife hospital.

This is a trying time for both wildlife and the veterinary and rehabilitation teams at SBWCN. On top of the typical workload of rehabilitating over 4,000 animals per year, trained staff have to work in a separate, non-climate controlled area while wearing full PPE to prevent animals sick with HPAI from entering the clinic. However, with constant vigilance, ongoing training, strong protocols, and protections in place SBWCN is confident we can continue to rehabilitate and return to the wild thousands of animals every year.

The public is asked to call the SBWCN Helpline (805-681-1080) before touching or handling any wildlife. When dropping off an animal to the SBWCN facility, the public is asked to stop at a designated drop off area in front of the facility, and will be provided guidance on how to disinfect any potentially contaminated carriers or laundry.

SBWCN is asking the public to:

• Call the SBWCN Helpline (805-681-1080) before touching or handling any wildlife.

  • If this is a waterbird, seabird, raptor, or crow/raven that is showing neurologic signs (seizing, walking in circles, not responding to stimuli, etc.) do not touch  them. Call us or contact California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW - see link below).

• Stop at the designated drop-off area in front of the SBWCN facility when dropping off an animal. Members of the public are not allowed past our rolling gate.

  1. Please anticipate a possible wait time as staff is limited.

  2. Unfortunately, any cardboard boxes brought in with an animal can not be returned. Containers made of non-porous material will need to be disinfected for 10 minutes prior to being returned. Laundry (towels, blankets, etc.) that has been in contact with the animal should be handled with gloves and washed in a washing machine with bleach prior to being used again.

• If handling an animal can not be avoided, full PPE should be worn, including gloves, an N-95 face mask, hair covering, protective glasses or goggles, and a long-sleeved full-body gown or coveralls.

• Report deceased birds to CDFW’s website.

-Sightings of dead wild birds or other animals may be reported online to CDFW.

-Sick and dead poultry or pet birds may be reported to the California Department of Food and Agriculture hotline: 1-866-922-2473

- Prevent domestic birds (especially poultry), household cats, and other pets from contacting or eating wild birds. 

- Keep cats indoors and avoid feeding them raw meat, milk, and eggs.

- Clean and disinfect bird baths, feeders, and any surfaces that come into contact with birds or wildlife at least once weekly using a 10% bleach solution (1 part bleach to 9 parts water).