The New York State Division of Environmental Conservation (DEC) introduced Thursday that it had 5 preliminary constructive instances of extremely pathogenic avian influenza, or chook flu, in Suffolk County.
Extra useless birds throughout Lengthy Island await testing.
Based on DEC, snow geese and two duck species have examined constructive. Different birds, together with crows and numerous raptors, are awaiting testing.
Hen flu is endemic to wild birds, and the state Division of Environmental Conservation says there is no such thing as a approach to comprise an infection in these animals. Medical indicators could also be much like different ailments or accidents or nonspecific.
Lengthy Island handled a chook flu outbreak early final 12 months. It pressured the culling of 100,000 geese at one farm. By the tip of February, dozens of useless or symptomatic birds have been present in East Patchogue. No human instances have been reported.
Whereas bird-to-human transmission has been uncommon, the avian flu can unfold via direct contact with the saliva, secretions, or feces of an contaminated animal. Viral particles within the air can unfold it; so can consuming uncooked meals and milk. The Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention (CDC) says the general public well being danger stays low.
Intermittent human instances have been reported worldwide since 1997, in accordance with the Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention (CDC). Stories in the US date again to 2022. Most of those that obtained sick had direct or shut contact with contaminated poultry or dairy cows with out utilizing enough protecting gear.
Since then, the CDC says it began utilizing its flu surveillance system to watch for chook flu infections in folks. The company additionally displays folks with animal exposures. It says there have not been any recognized instances of person-to-person unfold.
Mammals can be contaminated. Final March, in New York Metropolis, as many as three instances of chook flu have been present in pet cats, two of which died. The well being division linked these instances to a model of uncooked pet meals and issued a public well being warning.
How many individuals get chook flu?
Nationally, the CDC says it has confirmed 71 instances and two deaths since 2024. The closest any of these instances got here to the tri-state was Ohio. There was no recognized person-to-person transmission, and the general danger to the general public stays low, the company says.
Based on the NYC Well being Division, felines can contract chook flu by consuming contaminated birds, ingesting uncooked (unpasteurized) milk, and consuming uncooked pet meals. House owners ought to look out for indicators of fever, runny nostril, water eyes, problem respiration, lack of urge for food, vomiting, diarrhea and behavioral modifications.
To scale back the chance of getting contaminated themselves, cat homeowners are suggested to keep away from dealing with sick or useless birds, wash their arms completely after dealing with pets, livestock or poultry, and to vary garments and sneakers after coming involved with probably contaminated animals.
Louisiana reported the primary human chook flu dying in the US in January 2025.
