Avian Flu (Bird Flu)

HPAI affects wild and domestic bird species, primarily waterfowl, raptors, and domestic poultry. Wild turkeys, shorebirds, and songbirds can also be affected by HPAI, but this is rare. Some birds (such as birds that use backyard feeders) can carry the virus without becoming sick. Raptors can become infected by eating infected prey or by coming in contact with surfaces that are contaminated with the virus. You can track wild bird HPAI findings on the USDA APHIS website.

In 2025, avian influenza H5 was detected in the eastern population of sandhill cranes. There had been detections of H5N1 in sandhill cranes in other states in the past, but this was the first time it had been detected in Indiana. This infection has led to the deaths of over 2500 sandhill cranes between January 2025 and March 2025.

Some avian influenza viruses can affect mammals. As of 2024, HPAI has been detected in mice, red foxes, opossums, skunks, raccoons, bobcats, and other wild mammals. It has also been reported in several domestic species, including cattle, goats, pigs, horses, cats, dogs, and ferrets. To see a current update of HPAI in domestic livestock, visit the USDA’s Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Detections in Livestock page.

HPAI is zoonotic, meaning that it can infect humans, but the virus does not currently spread from person to person.

The CDC considers the risk to the general public to be low. However, cases of HPAI in humans have been increasing since early March 2024, so it is important to take steps to prevent exposure. Avoid contact with waterfowl and only observe them from a distance. For information on preventing exposure and symptoms in humans, visit the Indiana Department of Health's Avian Influenza web page.

If you find sick or dead waterfowl, do not touch or handle them. Please report sick or dead waterfowl at on.IN.gov/sickwildlife.

If you have been exposed to any animals infected with HPAI and develop symptoms, please contact your healthcare provider.

Hunters are at low risk for contracting HPAI by hunting waterfowl or other wildlife. Indiana DNR strongly recommends that hunters take precautions against exposure by avoiding handling live birds and avoiding waterfowl that are acting strangely.

The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service recommends that hunters do the following when handling wild game to prevent possible exposure to HPAI or other potential pathogens:

• Do not harvest birds that appear obviously sick or are found dead.
• Process birds outdoors or in a well-ventilated area.
• Wear a mask and gloves and wash hands after handling the carcass.
• Disinfect all equipment that comes into contact with dead birds (e.g., knives, surfaces).
• Refrain from eating, drinking, using nicotine products, and touching your eyes during processing.
• Double-bag feathers and all bird remains prior to disposal. Place bird remains in the inner bag and tie closed. Dispose of gloves in the outer bag before tying closed.
• Cook meat thoroughly to an internal temperature of 165°F.

Domestic dogs may also become infected with HPAI if they come into contact with sick or dead infected birds and their environments. The risk to dogs is unknown. If your hunting dog has come into contact with dead waterfowl and starts displaying signs such as persistent cough, thick nasal discharge, fever (over 103oF while at rest), lethargy, runny eyes, or reduced appetite, consult your veterinarian.

More information about safe hunting practices can be found at USDA-APHIS.

The Division of Fish & Wildlife (DFW) has partnered with USDA-APHIS to increase wild bird surveillance by testing hunter-harvested waterfowl. DFW personnel continually collect samples from wild birds across the state for HPAI surveillance using reports from the public that are submitted to the Sick and Dead Wildlife Reporting tool.

If you encounter a wild bird species that is displaying signs of HPAI, please report it at on.IN.gov/sickwildlife. When wildlife in Indiana test positive for avian influenza, DNR shares information with Hoosiers who are most likely to interact with infected animals to help them mitigate the risk of spreading the disease.

The risk of avian influenza to humans is low. Still, it is recommended that people avoid contact with waterfowl or raptor carcasses as they can. If a carcass appears in an area where it is necessary to remove (e.g., an area with children or pets) the carcass can be removed safely by the property owner, or a wildlife control operator can be contracted to remove the carcasses.

• The property owner can safely dispose of the carcass themselves by doing the following:
  • Wear a mask and disposable gloves.
  • Double-bag any carcasses and place them in a secure trash container.
  • Wash hands with soap and warm water immediately after disposing of the carcass.
  • Disinfect any equipment used (shovels, pitchfork etc. by using either rubbing alcohol or a 10% bleach solution.
  • Disinfect shoes or boots worn while disposing of the carcass with alcohol or bleach solution.
  • Wash clothing worn while disposing of the carcass with warm water.
• Property owners can also contact a wildlife control operator to remove the carcasses for a fee. A list of wildlife control operators can be found at wildlife.IN.gov/wildlife-resources/living-with-wildlife/nuisance-wildlife-control-operators/.
• Indiana DNR does not offer carcass removal services.

Practice proper hygiene and good biosecurity. If you keep birdfeeders and birdbaths on your property, clean them regularly with a 10% bleach and hot water solution, rinse thoroughly, and then allow them to completely dry before refilling. Clean up birdseed that has fallen below birdfeeders. Do not feed wild birds, especially waterfowl, near domestic flocks. If you come in contact with any bird that appears unhealthy, wash your hands with soap and water and change clothing and shoes before coming in contact with a domestic flock or captive birds. Read more about biosecurity for domestic birds.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service recommends that waterfowl hunters wear protective clothing such as face masks and gloves to process birds, and to process birds in a well-ventilated area or outdoors.

Report sick birds or unusual bird deaths to state/federal officials through the following:

• Poultry or Domestic Mammals: BOAH healthy bird hotline: 1-866-536-7593
• Wild Birds: DNR Fish & Wildlife: Sick or dead wildlife can be reported at on.IN.gov/sickwildlife.
• Human Health: For human health concerns, call the Indiana Department of Health at 317-233-1325