Two young adult cougars in Washington’s Clallam County have died from contracting bird flu, according to the state’s wildlife department. The first cougar was found on November 28, and the second on December 4. Both tested positive for highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), a strain of bird flu that can be deadly to mammals.
Wildlife experts say the cases are linked to cougars scavenging on infected wild birds, such as waterfowl. This is not surprising, given that HPAI has been detected in other North American species, including striped skunks and bobcats, since 2023.
The outbreak comes amid a larger bird flu epidemic across the US, including an ongoing case at a commercial poultry farm in Franklin County, Washington. However, humans are considered to be at low risk of contracting HPAI from birds.
Since 2023, there have been reported cases of H5N1 in other wildlife species, including harbor seals and raccoons in Puget Sound. The Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife has issued a warning about the risks associated with avian influenza in wild animals.
Source: https://www.koin.com/news/washington/washington-state-reports-first-ever-cases-of-bird-flu-in-cougars