The avian flu creeps closer and closer: According to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD), recent testing has detected Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in mammal species in Texas including foxes, raccoons, striped skunks, and domestic cats located in the Texas panhandle in Deaf Smith, Hansford, Lubbock, Ochiltree, Parmer and Randall Counties.

These detections were found via a collaboration between TPWD, the Department of State Health Services Zoonosis Control branch, and the Texas Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Lab.

They follow similar discoveries in wild birds across Texas, with recent detections in Amarillo, El Paso, Galveston, Harris, Lubbock, Potter, Travis, and Wharton counties.

HPAI has now been detected in all 50 states across the U.S. and Puerto Rico. It's a highly contagious zoonotic virus that transmits easily among wild and domestic birds. It can spread directly between animals and indirectly through environmental contamination.

For mammals, transmission occurs primarily through consumption of infected animal carcasses, although mammal-to-mammal transmission is possible.

Signs of HPAI in mammals can vary based on species but can include ataxia (incoordination, stumbling), tremors, seizures, lack of fear of people, lethargy, runny or crusty eyes and nose, coughing and sneezing, or sudden death.

TPWD recommends wildlife rehabilitators remain cautious when intaking wild animals with clinical signs consistent with HPAI to limit the potential for exposures to other animals within the facility.

They're still insisting that the risk of avian influenza from infected birds being transmitted to people remains low, but people should take basic protective measures (i.e., wearing gloves, face masks and handwashing) if they must make contact with wild animals.