Latest avian flu reports in Nevada lead to starling removal

European starling. (Photo: GlobalP/iStock / Getty Images Plus/Getty Images)

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) recently confirmed H5N1 avian flu detections in Nevada dairy herds, along with several more detections in U.S. poultry flocks.

Nevada reported its first H5N1 detection in dairy cows in early December 2024, which affected a herd in Nye County, located northwest of Las Vegas. In two recent statements, the Nevada Department of Agriculture (NDA) said the virus had been detected in dairy cattle in Churchill County, which borders Nye County to the northwest. Dairy cattle in both of the counties have been placed in quarantine, and the USDA investigators have begun surveillance and testing wildlife to better determine which strains are circulating and how the virus is spreading.

Federal and state groups will also begin removing non-native European starling populations (Sturnus vulgaris) in Churchill, Pershing and Lyon counties. The NDA called the starling removal a critical step and that, due to their large numbers, the birds are a nuisance population that can spread disease and contaminate animals’ food and water sources.

In a 2024 Facebook post, the Nevada Department of Wildlife said several thousand birds from the species typically migrate through northern Nevada in the winter on their way south. It added that the European starlings are aggressive and outcompete native birds for nesting sites and can spread disease to livestock.

“The challenge with this virus is that it may be spread through contaminated clothing worn and equipment shared between animals, but birds carrying the disease can also infect domestic animals and livestock,” NDA Director J.J. Goicoechea, DVM, said in a Jan. 31 statement.

At press time, officials have expressed concern over domestic cats suffering from bird flu and possibly infecting their owners. Bird flu signs in cats include runny nose and discharge from their eyes. So far, the majority of feline cases have been linked to eating raw food and milk.

Since March 2024, there have been 68 people in the U.S. confirmed to have H5N1.

Additionally, APHIS confirmed more H5N1 detections in at least seven states, including commercial farms in Missouri (turkeys and broilers) and Ohio (turkeys and layers).

More detections in backyard bird flocks were reported in Maryland, Virginia, Florida, California and Nebraska.

As we mentioned in our 2022 coverage of bird flu risk: If you count among your customers any poultry farms, processing facilities, zoos or other accounts where birds are present, take care to not step on droppings, as walking in contaminated shoes can increase the potential spread among the flock.

The growing concern over bird flu means your bird management and prevention services are more in demand. Similarly, residential customers raising chickens or ducks in their backyards may become more interested in protecting their flocks from additional threats, like mosquitoes and rodents.

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from Pest Management Professional https://www.mypmp.net/2025/02/19/latest-avian-flu-reports-in-nevada-lead-to-starling-removal/
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