Risk of Human Bird Flu Infection is Low

With bird flu being in the national headlines lately, the Oneida County Health Department is offering education and safety tips and reassuring the public that the risk of human infection is low. 

Avian influenza, bird flu, or H5N1 refers to a group of viruses that usually spreads between birds. These viruses range from limited impact to large numbers of illness and death of birds. This virus is circulating worldwide in birds and is causing outbreaks in poultry and dairy cows in the United States. This virus has also infected several humans nationwide. 

While there have been no confirmed cases of human H5N1 infection in New York State, it has been confirmed in birds and animals in recent years. The following infections have been confirmed in Oneida County: 

Currently, the risk to the public is low. However, it is important to take precautions to protect yourselves, your family and your animals.

There is no need to report a single dead bird found in your yard. Keep your pets and children away from it. To dispose of it, the New York State Department of Health recommends: 

• Wear disposable gloves, a mask, and eye protection, like safety glasses or goggles.
• Avoid direct contact with the carcass or carcass fluids by using a shovel or a garbage bag to pick up the bird.
• Triple bag (garbage or contractor bags) carcasses and place in an outdoor trash receptacle.
• Wash hands with soap and water immediately after removing gloves.
• Change your clothes and wash them after disposing of the bird. 

If you find multiple dead birds, especially in one place or multiple species, please report this to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYS DEC) at https://dec.ny.gov/nature/wildlife-health/animal-diseases or call the Regional DEC office at (315) 793-2554. 

For additional information about bird flu and H5N1, visit https://www.cdc.gov/bird-flu/.