The Camden County Health Department is currently monitoring the continued spread of bird flu across the country as well as here in New Jersey. Currently, no birds in Camden County have tested positive for bird flu and the risk to the public remains low.
“Right now, the country has seen 70 human cases of bird flu, as well as outbreaks in a variety of animals including wild birds and cows,” Camden County Health Officer Dr. Paschal Nwako said. “So, the good news is that we have not seen human-to-human transmission of the virus, and we do not need to panic. But this is still a developing situation that we at the Camden County Department of Health and Human Services is watching diligently.”
Confirmed detections of bird flu have occurred in wild birds in Warren and Salem counties. Presumptive positive detections have occurred in Atlantic, Bergen, Burlington, Cumberland, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, Morris, Ocean and Sussex counties.
Bird flu, also known as avian influenza and H5N1, is a strain of influenza that primarily affects birds but can also infect humans and other animals including foxes, bears, seals, stray or domestic animals like cats and dogs, farmed animals like mink and foxes, livestock like goats and cows, and zoo animals such as tigers and leopards. This virus has the potential to cause severe illness in humans, and it has been responsible for past outbreaks in both birds and humans.
Symptoms of bird flu in humans are similar to those of seasonal flu and can include:
- Fever
- Cough
- Sore throat
- Muscle aches
- Fatigue
- Conjunctivitis (pink eye)
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, in severe cases, it can lead to pneumonia, organ failure or death.
If you have symptoms of bird flu, especially after close contact with sick or dead birds, seek medical attention immediately. Early treatment with antiviral medications can help reduce the severity of symptoms and improve recovery chances.
Bird flu primarily spreads through contact with infected birds or their droppings, secretions or contaminated environments but it can also spread through handling raw poultry or eggs. The likelihood of getting bird flu is low for the general public, especially if you do not have close contact with infected poultry. The risk is higher for people in areas with large poultry populations or those who work in the poultry industry.
“It is extremely important to remind everyone that you should never be handling sick or dead animals without wearing proper personal protective equipment,” Nwako continued. “Interactions with animals in this way is a major way that this virus can spread so please, if you must handle an animal, make sure you are wearing PPE, avoid touching your eyes, mouth and nose after contact and wash your hands immediately with soap and water.”
While human-to-human transmission is rare, it can occur with close, prolonged contact with an infected person. To lower the risk of contracting bird flu, the Health Department recommends the following:
- Avoid contact with sick or dead birds.
- Wash your hands thoroughly after handling poultry or eggs.
- Cook poultry and eggs thoroughly to kill any potential viruses.
- Avoid live bird markets, especially in regions with known outbreaks.
Workers at higher risk of infection should adhere to the following guidelines:
- Avoid unprotected exposure to sick or dead animals.
- Wash hands immediately with soap and water after handling birds or other animals.
- Wear personal protective equipment when in direct or close contact (within 6 feet) with sick or dead animals.
- Avoid touching your eyes, mouth or nose after contact with animals.
- Receive education on how to properly use PPE and when it’s needed.
Consuming poultry, eggs and beef is safe if they are cooked to the appropriate internal temperature that kills bacteria and viruses, including avian influenza. Make sure to separate raw and cooked foods to avoid contamination.
If you believe your poultry or livestock has been infected with bird flu, contact your veterinarian and your local health department.
“The main thing that we want our residents to know is that they do not need to panic, we are keeping a close eye on this situation, and we will continue to keep an open line of communication to ensure that with every development, we are keeping everyone in the loop,” Nwako said. “For now, please use the mitigation tips listed to prevent any potential spread of bird flu. Staying informed and following public health guidance is key to protecting yourself and your community from bird flu.”
To report any concerns pertaining to bird flu, call the Camden County Health Department at 856-374-6000. To report sick or dead poultry, contact the state Department of Agriculture Division of Animal Health at 609-671-6400.
For more information about bird flu, visit:
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) – Bird Flu: https://www.cdc.gov/bird-flu/h5-monitoring/index.html
- New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH) – Bird Flu: https://www.nj.gov/H5N1/
