Nevada dairies to be treated for starling infestations to help prevent the spread of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza

Wildlife biologists with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Wildlife Services and the Nevada Department of Agriculture (NDA) will begin removing non-native European starling populations around several dairies in Churchill, Lyon and Nye counties. Due to their large numbers, the birds are a nuisance population and spread disease and contaminate food and water sources for livestock, putting animals at risk of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (H5N1), salmonella and E. Coli infections. With the recent detection of HPAI in dairy cattle in Nevada, the removal of these starling populations is critical to mitigating the spread of disease.

In the event that the public finds dead or dying birds during the removal, Wildlife Services recommends handling the birds with single-use gloves and disposing of them in the trash. The dead birds do not need to be reported. Residents unable to dispose of the starlings may call the USDA at (775) 851-4848 and provide the location of the birds by address.

For more information, visit agri.nv.gov/wildlife.

About the Nevada Department of Agriculture

The Nevada Department of Agriculture (NDA) mission is to preserve, protect and promote Nevada’s agriculture. The department has 225 dedicated employees providing services in its five divisions, Administrative Services, Animal Industry, Measurement Standards, Food and Nutrition, and Plant Health and Compliance. The department’s $288 million budget facilitates regulatory and administrative work in agriculture and food manufacturing industries, protecting public and environmental health and worker safety, and providing food distribution and oversight for the United States Department of Agriculture’s school and community nutrition programs.