Northern California wildlife and domestic animals face increased threats from two significant pathogens, white nose syndrome and bird flu.
White nose syndrome, a deadly fungus first identified in a New York bat cave in 2006, is decimating bat populations by disrupting hibernation cycles, leading to starvation and death. The disease has now been detected in five California counties, including Humboldt, prompting the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) ask for help educating the public.
CDFW’s Small Mammal Conservation Coordinator, Katrina Smith, explained that bats affected by white nose syndrome may emerge from hibernation prematurely or exhibit unusual behavior, such as flying during cold winter months. Other symptoms include difficulty flying or visible white fungus on their face or wings.
Smith urged the public to report any sightings of abnormal bat behavior to CDFW, emphasizing the importance of conserving natural habitats and reducing pesticide use to support bat populations.
Meanwhile, the bird flu, a highly pathogenic H5N1 virus, continues to spread across California, impacting both avian and mammal species and prompting increased testing of farm workers for exposure. The outbreak, which first occurred in poultry in Mendocino in December 2022, has now affected wild birds, including wood ducks, common ravens, Canadian geese, and California gulls.
Infected animals can spread the virus through their secretions, contaminating both domestic and wild populations.
Dr. Dean Blumberg, chief of pediatric infectious diseases at UC Davis, explained that while bird flu transmission to humans is rare, it can lead to serious illness or even death — or manifest with very mild symptoms. Most infections occur through direct contact with sick or dying animals.
Preventative measures, such as controlling the disease in animal populations, are critical. The Mendocino Farm Bureau’s Executive Director, Adam Gaska, outlined the state’s depopulation protocols for infected animals, which apply to both commercial and backyard poultry. “If a bird tests positive for highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), all birds within a quarter-mile radius are culled, and testing is conducted within a mile. The protocol continues until no further positive cases are detected,” Gaska said.
These protocols are part of California’s ongoing efforts to curb the spread of these pathogens and protect both wildlife and human health. For more information and to report sightings, residents can visit the California Department of Fish and Wildlife’s website at cdfw.ca.gov.
