Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) has now been confirmed in Colorado.

Just like Thanos: it was inevitable.

Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) has returned to the lower 48 with Fall migration and cooling temperatures, but earlier and at a level that previously was not seen during this time of year. There have been multiple positive detections in wild birds (live and dead) across the northern tier states from Idaho and Utah to the East coast. Commercial and backyard poultry flocks have also been hit. Commercial poultry facilities in North and South Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan have been hit to the tune of almost 600k birds and the numbers are growing. In previous years the Fall outbreaks primarily followed the coasts. This broad swath across the country speaks to the potential of wider spread of asymptomatic infection in migrating and local birds.

HPAI has now been confirmed in Colorado.

On Wednesday (9/17) we picked up a Great horned owl from Loveland, CO in a neighborhood by Boyd lake that was lethargic, unresponsive and died in transit to our facility. Our Rehabilitation team already had HPAI on our radar and followed our established transport and exam protocols. We submitted a sample for testing to the CSU Diagnostic Lab in Fort Collins.

On Thursday (9/18) we admitted a neurological Turkey vulture from a different area of Loveland that was found on the ground and displaying abnormal neurological signs. HPAI and Lead poisoning were our primary concerns since this patient showed no obvious signs of injury. We submitted samples to the CSU Diagnostic Lab for HPAI and Lead testing. The blood Lead results confirmed a high lead level.

Lead toxicosis usually results in a relatively slow decline and birds with HPAI generally succumb much faster (72 hours). We had begun su

pportive care on admission and then treatment for the high Lead level. Unfortunately, the vulture was found deceased in our Isolation unit on Saturday morning (9/20).

Test results confirmed both of these birds to be positive for HPAI.

We encourage everyone that has backyard poultry to review your own at home protocols to protect your flocks: https://www.aphis.usda.gov/livesto…/avian/defend-the-flock

We encourage vigilance and not panic. Please raise your awareness as you venture outdoors to enjoy the changing of the seasons.