A striped skunk infected with a highly contagious strain of bird flu was found in Carson County this week.
This very first case of a mammal contracting Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in the state was reported by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department on March 21. It was confirmed by National Veterinary Services Laboratories.
HPAI is a highly contagious and easily transmissible virus that can infect both wild and domestic birds.
There has been a major outbreak of bird flu across the country this past year. It has killed over 50 million egg-laying hens and driven up egg prices, as The Dallas Express has covered.
Yet HPAI can also infect other mammals, bringing on symptoms such as a lack of fear of people, incoordination, stumbling, tremors, seizures, lethargy, coughing, sneezing, and sudden death.
In January, Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks announced that three grizzly bears had contracted the virus. They were ultimately euthanized due to the neurological impairment caused by the infection, per The Dallas Express.
Foxes, raccoons, bobcats, and mountain lions are also susceptible to the HPAI virus, but humans are not.
According to TPWD officials, the risk of avian influenza being transmitted from infected birds to humans is currently low. Yet if contact with wild animals cannot be avoided, they recommend wearing gloves, washing hands, and employing other standard safety measures.
Due to the enormity of the current outbreak, health officials from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention do expect some sporadic human infections, per a recent report. There has only been one confirmed case of a human infected with HPAI so far, although thousands have been monitored for symptoms.
HPAI can be transmitted directly between animals and indirectly through environmental contamination, although TPWD wildlife officials explained that current data suggests mammal-to-mammal transmission through consuming infected animal carcasses.
The striped skunk is an omnivore that tends to favor insects as a source of protein. During the colder months of the year, it may turn to hunting small mammals and feeding on hatchlings and eggs.
If anyone comes across a wild animal demonstrating HPAI symptoms, TPWD urges reporting it to a local TPWD wildlife biologist immediately.