Wild Bird Diseases and Welfare: Avian Influenza

Highly pathogenic avian influenza has caused mass mortality events among wild birds globally, raising urgent welfare and conservation questions.

Key Facts

The H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b strain caused unprecedented wild bird mortality from 2021 onwards
Mass die-offs of seabirds including gannets, skuas, and guillemots occurred across the North Atlantic
Avian influenza causes severe neurological symptoms, respiratory distress, and death in affected birds
Wild bird die-offs create biosecurity risks for domestic poultry flocks kept nearby
Current biosecurity measures include indoor housing requirements for domestic birds during high-risk periods
No effective vaccine is available for use in wild bird populations

Welfare Considerations

Wild birds dying from avian influenza experience severe neurological distress, loss of coordination, respiratory failure, and death over hours to days. The scale of mortality events - tens of thousands of individual deaths in some colonies - represents one of the largest acute wildlife welfare events in recent history. Beyond individual suffering, colony collapses affect surviving animals through disruption of social and breeding structures.

What You Can Do

Report sick or dead wild birds to your national wildlife disease surveillance program
Avoid handling dead or visibly sick wild birds without appropriate protective equipment
Support biosecurity measures on poultry farms to prevent cross-infection to domestic flocks
Donate to wildlife rescue organizations providing emergency care during avian influenza outbreaks
Back research into avian influenza vaccines and surveillance for wildlife populations