Washington State reports first-ever cases of bird flu in cougars

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) -- Two cougars in Washington have died after contracting the state's first reported cases of bird flu among its species, according to the Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife.

Both wild cougars were young adult males found in Clallam County at the northern end of the Olympic Peninsula, near Sequim and Port Angeles, a spokesperson of WDFW told KOIN 6 News on Friday. Both tested positive for highly pathogenic avian influenza, also known as bird flu, after their death.

The first cougar was found November 28, and the other was found December 4, officials with WDFW and Panthera, a wild cat organization, said. One of the cougars was found dead while the other was humanely euthanized after it was found ill.

WDFW has also confirmed avian influenza in numerous wild birds in the fall, especially in the western part of the state, amid outbreaks across the United States.

"While the spread of HPAI, in particular H5N1, from birds to mammals is concerning, it is not surprising. To date, there is no indication that HPAI viruses are circulating in wild mammals. Rather, cases are directly related to mammals scavenging on infected wild birds such as waterfowl," WDFW said.

"Since 2023, WDFW has confirmed cases of H5N1 in striped skunks and a bobcat in northeast Washington, harbor seals in Puget Sound, and raccoons in various areas, in addition to the recent raccoon and cougar cases. H5N1 has also been detected in red foxes, striped skunks, and bobcats in other North American states," the spokesperson added.

The cases come amid bird flu outbreaks across the United States, including an outbreak reported on a commercial poultry farm in Franklin County, Washington, where the state also saw its first reported cases of humans with bird flu.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, humans have a low risk of catching HPAI.