Bird flu detected in Gibson Park goose; waterfowl roundup postponed

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Updated Oct. 10 with additional information from CCHD and the city

Bird flu was detected this month in a goose in Gibson Park and the annual waterfowl roundup from Gibson Pond to the Honker Hilton that had been scheduled for Oct. 17 is postponed.

The goose was exhibiting signs of illness when it was located in the park a couple found it, took it home and tried to nurse it back to health, but it died, according to the city. The couple contacted the Cascade City-County Health Department, which recommended they take the goose’s body to the Great Falls office of Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks.

Abigail Hill, county health officer, told The Electric that the goose was taken home on Sept. 26.

CCHD was notified Oct. 3 that the bird was positive for bird flu and arranged testing for the couple that same day, Hill said.

An FWP veterinarian notified the city and CCHD that the goose had tested positive for Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza, HPAI, more commonly known as bird flu, according to the city.

The citizens were tested at Benefis Health System on Oct. 6.

CCHD drove the sample to the state lab to expedite testing, according to the city, and the results were received Oct. 7.

The results were negative.

FWP suspects bird flu in local geese; three grizzlies around state [2023]

On Oct. 8, the city issued a press release that the annual waterfowl roundup was scheduled for Oct. 17 when city staff round up the birds to move them to the Honker Hilton, their indoor winter quarters, and the north end of the park.

In an Oct. 9 release about the bird flu detection, the city said that although human infections are rare, they’ve canceled the roundup out of an abundance of caution for Great Falls Park and Recreation employees, who are working with a wildlife veterinarian to determine the safest time to move the birds indoors, since “the virus is often brought in by birds who only visit the park for a short time and don’t live in the park.”

The Electric asked if other birds in Gibson Park were being tested and on Oct. 10 the city responded that it was cost prohibitive to test a large group of birds, but sick bird will be tested if they have exposures to human, poultry farms, etc.

Asked when the decision to cancel the waterfowl roundup was made, Meredith Dawson, city spokesperson, said that it was made Oct. 9 and “there are many organizations involved in this situation, and it takes time to coordinate between them all and get accurate information and recommendations from several different experts. We wanted to be sure we were putting the best information and precautions out to the public.”

Bird flu has been detected in birds in other areas of the state recently and has been present in birds and animals in the U.S. since 2022.

Bird flu was suspected in local geese in 2023 and was confirmed in local chickens in 2022.

Bird flu detected in more birds in Cascade County [2022]

To date, no human bird flu infections have been reported in Montana and human infections are rare, generally occurring after close and prolonged contact with infected animals or the excretions/secretions of infected animals, according to CCHD.

“Montanans should avoid handling animals that appear sick or that are exhibiting abnormal behaviors and should take precautions when handling game birds,” according to the joint city-CCHD release.

Bird flu confirmed in Cascade, Judith Basin counties [2022]

Park and Rec staff posted signage in Gibson Park reminding the public to refrain from touching birds and are using personal protective equipment when handling birds, as instructed by a wildlife veterinarian.

Staff printed colorful signs to stand out and placed them on the Snack Shack, garbage bins, the fenced area on the north of the pond that protects the birds and other areas in close proximity to the pond. Staff said they’ll check regularly to ensure they’re still in place as signs are sometimes vandalized or stolen.

Many people walk and run dogs in Gibson Park and it’s unlikely that dogs will contract bird flu by eating infected bird poop, but owners should make sure dogs don’t eat bird carcassses.

The last mammal infection of bird flu in Cascade County was a striped skunk in December 2022 and according to data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, no cases of bird flu have been detected in domestic dogs since March 2022, but it has been detected in domestic cats.

To protect public health, safeguard wildlife, and prevent the spread of disease, officials recommend taking the following precautions when around wild, domestic, or captive birds and animals in general:

  • avoid handling animals that appear sick or that are exhibiting abnormal behaviors.
  • do not touch or handle wild birds or carcasses. Investigation of mortality events in wild birds offers wildlife. professionals the best opportunity to detect HPAI, and sick or dead wild birds should be reported to the Montana FWP at 406-577-7880.
  • keep domestic animals away from wild birds. If your domestic animals become sick, immediately isolate them and contact your veterinarian or the Montana Department of Livestock at 406-444-2976.
  • prevent contact between wild or migratory birds and domestic poultry, including access by wild birds to feed and water sources.
  • house birds indoors to the extent possible to limit exposure to wild or migratory birds, and limit visitor access to areas where birds are housed.
  • use dedicated clothing and protective footwear when caring for domestic poultry.
  • if you must come into contact with birds, maintain good handwashing and other sanitization practices and utilize appropriate personal protective equipment, such as disposable gloves.
  • if you develop flu-like symptoms after being in contact with wild animals or animals that seem to be sick, contact your doctor’s office or clinic before visiting to ensure the safety of clinical staff and patients.

Additional information on HPAI is available from: