RICHMOND — Wild birds in Virginia have been affected by 200 cases of the bird flu this year, according to the
The highly pathogenic avian influenza mostly occurred in the northern and eastern areas of the state, with 49 reports made in January, 63 in February, 75 in March and 13 in April. The HPAI reports include confirmed and suspected cases.
Six cases happened across the Richmond region, including three in the Dutch Gap Conservation Area of Chesterfield involving black vultures.
The first report in that area was confirmed, but no testing was done for the other two reports because the DWR already knew that the bird flu was circulating within that population.
One other confirmed case happened in Henrico, plus one suspected case in Richmond and another suspected case in a different part of Chesterfield.
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The total does not include birds such as the for the bird flu in January.
The DWR sends bird samples to the at the University of Georgia for preliminary testing.
Positive test samples then get sent to the — part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture — for confirmatory testing.
Because NVSL results can take extra time, the DWR uses test results from the SCWDS toward its bird flu totals.
In March, two red foxes in Loudoun County were the first known mammals in Virginia to test positive for the H5N1 strain of the avian flu.
No humans in Virginia have tested positive, but the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have in the United States since 2024.
The DWR expects bird flu numbers to slow down as temperatures rise and waterfowl become less concentrated. However, the DWR is still asking the public to avoid handling sick or dead wild birds, but instead, report the following wild bird occurrences:
- Five or more dead vultures, waterfowl, shorebirds or seabirds in the same area within five days.
- Sick or dead eagles, hawks, owls or turkeys, excluding carcasses found on the road.
- Ten or more dead wild birds of any other species in the same area within five days.
Anyone who must dispose of a wild bird on their property is advised to use personal protective equipment, bury or double-bag the carcass and wash hands and clothing.
Those who spot infected wild birds can call the Virginia Wildlife Conflict Helpline at (855) 571-9003 or email wildlifehealth@dwr.virginia.gov.
Unusual poultry illnesses or deaths in Virginia backyard flocks or commercial poultry farms should be reported to the State Veterinarian’s Office at (804) 692-0601 or vastatevet@vdacs.virginia.gov.
They can also be reported to the U.S. Department of Agriculture at (866) 536-7593.
