bird flu - UNCAS Health District

Bird flu, also known as avian influenza, is a viral infection that primarily affects birds but can occasionally spread to humans. While the current risk to the general public remains low, it’s important to stay informed and take simple precautions to protect yourself and your community.

What Is Bird Flu?

Bird flu is caused by influenza viruses that naturally occur in wild birds, such as ducks, geese, and swans. These viruses can sometimes spread to domestic poultry, like chickens and turkeys, and, in rare cases, to humans. While most strains of bird flu don’t infect people, certain types, such as H5N1 and H7N9, have caused serious illness in humans.

How Can You Stay Safe?

The good news is that there are easy steps you can take to reduce your risk of exposure to bird flu:

Avoid Contact with Sick or Dead Birds
Never touch sick or dead wild birds. If you encounter one, report it to local wildlife authorities. Wild birds can carry the virus without showing symptoms, so it’s best to keep your distance.
Be Cautious Around Poultry
Avoid contact with sick poultry or birds that appear unwell. If you work with or care for poultry, practice good hygiene, such as washing your hands thoroughly after handling birds or their environments. For more tips on protecting poultry, visit the USDA’s Defend the Flock Program.
Cook Poultry and Eggs Thoroughly
Properly cooking poultry and eggs kills the bird flu virus and other harmful bacteria. Ensure that poultry reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) and that eggs are cooked until both the yolk and white are firm.

Why Is Awareness Important?

While the risk to humans is currently low, bird flu viruses can mutate and potentially spread more easily between people. Staying informed and taking preventive measures can help reduce the risk of outbreaks and protect both human and animal health.

Stay Updated

For the latest information on bird flu, including updates on outbreaks and safety guidelines, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website.

By staying aware and taking simple precautions, we can all play a role in preventing the spread of bird flu. Stay safe, stay informed, and share this knowledge with others to help keep your community healthy!

Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (Bird Flu) Detected in New London County

The Connecticut Department of Agriculture (CT DoAg) advises that Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) H5N1, or bird flu, was confirmed in a backyard flock in New London County on Wednesday, January 15, 2025. The backyard flock, consisting of chickens, ducks, and peacocks, were family pets, not commercial poultry, and had close contact with wild waterfowl in a nearby pond.

Samples were sent to the Connecticut Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (CVMDL) for testing. The results from CVMDL were then confirmed by the United States Department of Agriculture National Veterinary Services Laboratory (NVSL) in Ames, Iowa. H5N1 is highly contagious among domestic poultry, and at this time, there is no effective treatment or approved vaccine for the virus in poultry. The infected flock has been depopulated to prevent the spread of the disease.

“Collaboration between state and federal partners is essential in preventing the spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza in poultry and safeguarding the health of our farmworkers,” said Agriculture Commissioner Bryan P. Hurlburt. “Through a united approach, we are able to swiftly identify and respond to protect our food supply and ensure the health of our communities.”

All poultry owners and producers are advised to enhance biosecurity protocols to protect their backyard and commercial poultry flocks against H5N1.

“Biosecurity is the best defense for a flock owner to protect their birds from disease,” said State Veterinarian Dr. Thamus Morgan, DVM, MPH, DACVPM. “This should be top of mind for commercial and backyard hobby owners – we must all work together – to reduce the risk.”

Biosecurity Tips

Poultry biosecurity materials and checklists are on the USDA’s Defend the Flock website. Best practices include:

Keep wild birds and rodents out of poultry houses and coops.
Don’t let poultry have contact with migratory waterfowl or other wild birds.
Wash hands and boots before and after entering the poultry area.
Buy birds from reputable sources to receive healthy birds.
Restrict traffic onto and off your property.
Have a written biosecurity plan in place.

Signs of H5N1 infection include a sudden increase in bird deaths, sneezing, coughing, nasal discharge, watery or green diarrhea, lack of energy, poor appetite, drop in egg production, swelling around the eyes, neck, and head, and purple discoloration of wattles, combs, and legs.

Flock owners are encouraged to report anything unusual, incredibly sick, or dead birds to CT DoAg at 860-713-2505 or ctstate.vet@ct.gov or the USDA at 866-536-7593.

Human Risk Remains Low

No person-to-person spread of H5N1 has been detected to date, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) continues to assess the risk to the general public as low. Residents are reminded that properly handling and cooking poultry and eggs to an internal temperature of 165°F kills bacteria and viruses. No H5N1 virus detections in Connecticut have occurred to date in people, livestock, or other domestic animals. However, H5N1 continues to be detected sporadically in wild birds. Surveillance for cases in humans and animals is ongoing throughout the state.

“The current risk of infection from H5N1 to residents of Connecticut remains low. While we have no evidence of human-to-human transmission at this time, we need to remain vigilant,” said Connecticut Department of Public Health Commissioner Manisha Juthani, MD. “The CDC is currently monitoring numerous H5N1 cases throughout the country and tracking the spread of the virus in states where it has been identified in people or animals.

Read the DoAg Press Release Here