SALT LAKE CITY — The first case of avian flu in wild birds in Utah was confirmed in April, and now the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources has confirmed the virus has spread to wild birds in three additional counties, most likely due to the fall migration.

The virus had previously been confirmed in wild birds in six counties in Utah, including Cache, Weber, Salt Lake, Utah, Tooele and Carbon counties. Now, the virus has been confirmed in wild birds in three additional counties: Davis, Millard and Sanpete counties. The rate of positive highly pathogenic avian influenza detections decreased during the summer, but there has been a recent increase in detections and positive cases over the past couple of weeks.

As of Aug. 30, a total of 44 birds and two red foxes have tested positive for avian influenza in nine counties.  For more information about the current avian flu outbreak in wild birds, visit the DWR website. To report any symptoms of avian flu in domestic birds, contact the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food.