Avian influenza detected in two deceased CA mountain lions

Avian influenza detected in two deceased CA mountain lions – KSBY

The Eurasian strain of highly pathogenic avian influenza was detected in two mountain lions in Mono County in December 2022 and January 2023, according to a press release sent out by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife last week. This is the second species of wild mammal known to have contracted avian influenza in California,  he first detection of avian influenza in Mono County. To date, the virus has been found in 45 counties statewide. “The Eurasian lineage of avian influenza is primarily a disease impacting birds but is occasionally being detected in wild mammals. We don’t expect this to have a population-level impact for California’s mountain lions or other mammalian carnivores, but it is a disease we will continue to monitor,” said Dr. Jaime Rudd, a CDFW pesticide and disease investigations specialist.