Officials urge Oregonians to avoid sick birds as avian flu spreads

Oregon officials said people should avoid contact with birds that seem sick or are dead to avoid spreading a highly contagious strain of bird flu.

The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife said the agency is getting numerous reports of what is known as highly pathogenic avian influenza, or HPAI, across the state.

Most cases in the Willamette Valley have impacted cackling geese and some raptors, while on the Oregon Coast, gulls and other waterbirds have been sickened. The disease can also spread to wild mammals such as raccoons, skunks, foxes, marten and bobcats. It does not tend to impact people or dogs.

“We see a spike during migration season with all the waterfowl moving through the valley,” ODFW spokeswoman Beth Quillian said. “Our district offices are getting a lot of calls from pe