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Can wild turkeys get avian flu?
Yes. So can chickens, peafowl, ducks, geese, hawks, even cats, dairy cows, and people.
Montana, Wyoming, and South Dakota have found significant infection among wild turkey flocks. There’s been one known outbreak among wild turkeys in Oregon. Those turkeys shared a pond with a domestic poultry flock that got infected.
Nothing about avian flu is simple, not even the tiny virus that causes it. The dangerous strain of avian flu has two names—”H5N1,” a specific genetic variety of the virus, and “HPAI,” Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza. Recently a second strain has been detected. It’s labelled “H5N9” and was found on a duck farm in California.
Oregon Fish and Wildlife advises: “We are monitoring for HPAI and will test turkeys that die for unknown reasons, but otherwise ODFW’s management of wild turkeys in the Willamette Valley has not changed,” according to spokeswoman Beth Quillian.
“People don’t necessarily need to worry about flocks wandering around Salem. However, it’s up to people to live responsibly with turkeys. Feeding turkeys can cause a variety of issues for an entire neighborhood. Problems are caused when turkeys gain access to food left out by people, intentionally or by accident. Turkeys are generalist feeders and will eat bird seed, pet food, chicken feed and table scraps,” she said in an email.
“Wild turkeys don’t need handouts. Feeding turkeys can lead to abnormally large flocks that can cause damage to yards and structures. Turkeys that are fed by people can also act aggressively toward people. In addition, large flocks increase the risk of disease transmission among turkeys (including salmonella, avian influenza, and other diseases). Do not scatter cracked corn or seed for turkeys. Please be a good neighbor with wildlife and do not intentionally feed wildlife. Feed pets inside, keep bird feeder areas clean, and pick up fallen fruit and nuts. Also, please do not feed ducks or geese,” Quillian said.
As of late January, 2025, there are over 11,000 confirmed cases of avian flu in U.S. 530 of those have been here in Oregon. Wild mammals we know to have been infected in Oregon: red fox, raccoon, stripe skunk, and marten.
Pond water, marshes, other wetlands, and fresh water—good places for H5N1 to survive after it has left the body of a previous victim. Virus can spread from waterfowl feces through fresh water that is cool. Salt water and heat will kill the virus. Right now our Willamette Valley wetlands are perfect for H5N1.
Symptoms among infected animals can include fever, loss of appetite, lethargy, red eyes, discharge from eyes and nose, difficulty breathing, and neurologic issues like seizures.
Note: any bodily fluid from an infected animal will contain the infectious virus. If you are near or handling any outdoor animal, take precautions. See the links below. H5N1 can stay alive on surfaces and in fluids for some time. If you wade in a local wetlands, don’t bring those boots inside without disinfecting them.
Advice from health department websites: surfaces and clothing can be cleaned with bleach, ¾ cup to a gallon of water. Or, with 70% isopropyl alcohol, or 60% ethyl alcohol. Alcohol is especially good for cleaning surfaces. This is crucial to know during waterfowl hunting season.
This avian flu has been around since 2022 at least. And it shows no sign of going away. Remember: it isn’t just those who flew who can get this flu.
Resources
Living with turkeys brochure: https://www.dfw.state.or.us/wildlife/living_with/docs/2024_LivingWithTurkeys_brochure.pdf
Report dead birds to 866-968-2600 or email [email protected]
ODFW information page: https://www.dfw.state.or.us/wildlife/health_program/avian-flu/index.asp
If you have poultry: https://www.oregon.gov/oda/animal-health-feeds-livestock-id/animal-diseases/pages/avian-influenza.aspx

Harry Fuller is an Oregon birder and natural history author of three books: “Freeway Birding,” "Great Gray Owls of California, Oregon and Washington," and "San Francisco's Natural History--Sand Dunes to Streetcars." He leads birding trips for the Malheur Field Station. He is a member of the Salem Audubon Society, and leads bird trips locally. Harry has just published a new book, BIrding Harney County.