SALT LAKE CITY – After a period of decline, highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) is once again spreading among wild birds in Utah. The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources (DWR) has confirmed new cases in several counties since November 2024, marking an uptick in detections after nearly a year of relative inactivity.
Virus Expands to More Utah Counties
Originally confirmed in Utah in April 2022, avian flu has been detected in 16 counties over the past three years. However, three additional counties—Box Elder, Emery, and San Juan—have reported positive cases in recent months, bringing renewed attention to the ongoing outbreak.
“We noticed a significant drop in avian flu cases from January to November 2024, but cases have increased again since last fall,” said DWR Veterinarian Ginger Stout.
Since November 2024, 25 wild birds tested for the disease have been confirmed positive. The latest wave of infections has primarily affected geese (snow and Canada), hawks, gulls, owls (barn and great horned), and eared grebes. The Great Salt Lake has been particularly impacted, with estimates suggesting that between 15,000 and 20,000 eared grebes have died—though only a small number of these birds were officially tested for the virus.
“While that number may seem high, it’s a small fraction of the estimated 4 million eared grebes that migrate through the Great Salt Lake each year,” said John Luft, DWR’s Great Salt Lake Ecosystem Program Manager. “Because of the lake’s salinity, the birds’ bodies don’t decay as they normally would in freshwater, so carcasses are likely to continue washing ashore over the next few months.”
Wildlife Impact and Transmission Risks
Since 2022, the virus has been confirmed in 122 wild birds, as well as one mountain lion, multiple skunks, and three red foxes.
Counties where recent cases have been confirmed include:
✔ Box Elder
✔ Cache
✔ Carbon
✔ Davis
✔ Emery
✔ Millard
✔ Salt Lake
✔ San Juan
✔ Tooele
✔ Weber
The HPAI strain circulating now is highly contagious among wild birds and has proven more lethal than past outbreaks. While waterfowl and shorebirds may carry the virus without visible symptoms, raptors and scavengers—such as hawks, owls, ravens, and vultures—are particularly vulnerable and often succumb quickly. The virus spreads through nasal secretions, oral fluids, and feces, meaning contamination of shoes, vehicles, or outdoor areas can pose a risk to domestic poultry.
Songbirds are generally not affected, so backyard bird feeders do not need to be removed unless they are in proximity to domestic ducks or chickens, which are susceptible to infection. However, bird feeders and baths should still be cleaned regularly as a precaution.
What to Do if You Encounter Dead Birds
With the virus still active, DWR officials urge the public to report any sightings of:
🔺 Five or more dead waterfowl or shorebirds
🔺 Any single dead raptor or scavenger species
“If you come across dead birds that fit these criteria, do not touch or handle them,” Stout emphasized. “Instead, contact your local DWR office, and we will handle collection and testing.”
The current avian flu outbreak is considered more severe and widespread than the 2014-15 outbreak, during which Utah only recorded two positive cases in wild ducks. This time, the virus has spread much further and affected significantly more species.
For ongoing updates about avian flu in wild birds, visit the DWR website. Domestic poultry owners should report potential avian flu cases to the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food.
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