TEXAS — The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) is warning residents after highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) was detected in wild birds in the state’s panhandle. Cases have been confirmed in Amarillo and Lubbock, where the virus continues to circulate among wildlife.
HPAI is a highly contagious virus that can spread among birds and, in rare cases, to humans. It poses a significant threat to both animal health and the poultry industry. Migratory waterfowl and other waterbirds act as natural carriers, particularly during wintering periods when they gather in large numbers.
TPWD advises the public to help prevent the spread by avoiding unnecessary contact with wild birds. Residents in affected areas are discouraged from feeding wildlife, including using bird feeders, and are encouraged to haze birds away from food and water sources.
“The virus transmits easily both directly between birds and indirectly through contaminated environments,” TPWD officials said. “Limiting human interaction with wild birds is a critical step in stopping HPAI transmission.”
HPAI has been detected across all 50 states and Puerto Rico, highlighting the need for continued vigilance to protect both wildlife and domestic poultry populations.