Avian Flu Detected in Summit County Wild Birds

Outbreak spreads to new species across Utah amid ongoing virus surge

Published on Feb. 16, 2026

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The highly pathogenic avian influenza virus has been detected in wild birds in Summit County, Utah, including Canada geese and great horned owls. This is part of a broader outbreak that has impacted multiple species across 19 counties in the state since 2022, with roughly 50,000 eared grebes and 250 California gulls dying along the Great Salt Lake during the latest wave.

Why it matters

The avian flu outbreak has been ongoing in Utah since 2022, with the virus typically spreading more during spring and fall bird migrations. While songbirds are generally unaffected, the virus has impacted a variety of waterfowl, shorebirds, raptors, and scavengers, raising concerns about the overall health of Utah's wild bird populations.

The details

The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources confirmed the latest cases of avian flu in Summit County, with Canada geese and great horned owls among the affected birds. Since October, 49 wild bird carcasses collected across Utah have tested positive for the virus. The birds most impacted include eared grebes, California gulls, Canada geese, ducks, great horned owls, hawks, swans, and turkey vultures.

  • The first case of the latest avian flu outbreak in Utah was confirmed in April 2022.
  • Since October, 49 wild bird carcasses have tested positive for the virus.

The players

Utah Division of Wildlife Resources

The state agency responsible for managing and protecting Utah's wildlife, including monitoring and responding to disease outbreaks like the current avian flu situation.

John Neill

DWR Great Salt Lake Ecosystem Program Wildlife Biologist, who provided estimates on the impact of the avian flu outbreak on eared grebes and California gulls in the Great Salt Lake area.

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What they’re saying

“Roughly 4 million eared grebes migrate through the Great Salt Lake each year, so the birds lost to avian influenza in this recent wave should not have a significant impact on the overall population.”

— John Neill, DWR Great Salt Lake Ecosystem Program Wildlife Biologist (TownLift)

What’s next

Officials are asking the public to report any groups of five or more dead waterfowl or shorebirds, or any individual dead scavengers or raptors, to the nearest DWR office.

The takeaway

The ongoing avian flu outbreak in Utah continues to impact a variety of wild bird species, highlighting the need for continued monitoring and public reporting to help wildlife agencies manage the spread of the virus and mitigate its impact on the state's bird populations.