Study finds widespread H5N1 infection in black vultures

University of Georgia researchers report that highly pathogenic avian influenza A(H5N1) is hitting black vultures far harder than many clinicians and wildlife professionals may have assumed. In a Scientific Reports study published January 23, 2026, the team found H5N1 in 113 of 134 dead black vultures collected across seven southeastern states in 2022 and 2023, with evidence suggesting the birds’ scavenging behavior, including feeding on infected carcasses and sometimes on dead conspecifics, may help sustain transmission outside the usual waterfowl-driven season. UGA said more than 84% of the dead vultures tested positive, and the researchers warned the true toll could be far higher than documented submissions suggest. (nature.com)

Why it matters: For veterinary professionals, the findings widen the practical map of H5N1 risk. Black vultures aren’t just incidental spillover cases; they may act as efficient amplifiers within scavenger populations, which has implications for wildlife rehabilitation, diagnostic suspicion in neurologic or moribund raptors and scavengers, carcass handling, zoo and field biosecurity, and communication with farm clients and pet parents who encounter sick or dead birds. CDC says the public health risk remains low, but people with close, unprotected exposure to infected birds or other animals are at higher risk, reinforcing the need for PPE and reporting protocols. (nature.com)

What to watch: Continued surveillance in vultures, seasonal trend data, and whether agencies treat scavenging species as a larger part of H5N1 monitoring and response planning will be key. (nature.com)