Avian Influenza (Bird Flu)

Avian influenza, also called avian flu or bird flu, is a disease that is spread among birds and is caused by flu viruses. Water birds (such as ducks, geese, gulls, and swans) can carry bird flu without looking sick, but bird flu can cause sickness and death in poultry birds (such as chickens and turkeys). Infected birds spread the virus through their saliva, nasal fluid, and feces.

There are many types of bird flu viruses. Some cause no or only mild signs or symptoms of disease in poultry, and others can cause severe disease and death in poultry and other birds.

Some bird flu viruses can infect humans and other animals, but the risk is low. How sick a person becomes depends on the type of bird flu. Symptoms can range from no or mild illness to severe disease and death. Most people with H5N1 in the US have had conjunctivitis (red or inflamed eyes) and fever; some have had mild respiratory illness. However a small number of severe cases have been reported.

Since 2022, when H5N1 was first detected in NYC, the virus has been detected among poultry, wild, or captive birds from all five boroughs. After H5N1 is detected in a borough, further testing will usually not be done. Sick and dead water birds are assumed to have avian flu. For more information and a summary of detections of avian flu in animals, visit the USDA website.

Prevention

Protect yourself and others by following these guidelines:

• Report groups of sick or dead birds immediately.
  • For poultry, call the NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets at 518-457-3502.
  • For wild birds, especially waterfowl (like ducks or geese), raptors (like hawks or eagles), crows, shorebirds, and other waterbirds like gulls, loons, and herons, report online to the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation: NYSDEC Avian Influenza Reporting Form.
  • For other animal-related concerns, call 311.
• Avoid contact with birds that look sick or have died.
• Avoid contact with surfaces that have bird feces.
• Follow these food safety tips:
• Handle poultry and eggs safely and cook them to an internal temperature of 165 degrees F.
• Do not consume raw milk or raw milk products. Consume pasteurized milk and milk products.
• Do not feed cats raw food diets or raw milk; prevent them from roaming outdoors where they may hunt wild birds or other animals.

Handling Dead Birds

Some people may have to handle a dead bird because it is on their property. Follow these steps if you need to do so:

• Wear disposable gloves and a face mask when handling the dead bird.
• Wear a disposable apron if the bird’s body is not intact to prevent your clothing from being contaminated. You can make a disposable apron out of a trash bag.
• Avoid direct contact with the bird's body by using a shovel or a garbage bag to pick up the bird.
• Put the dead bird into a thick plastic trash bag and tie it closed. Then place this bag into another plastic trash bag, and then into a third bag.
• Before closing the outer bag, remove your disposable gloves (inside out), surgical mask, and apron, and place them into the outer bag. Then tie it closed.
• Place the triple-bagged bird's body in a trash bin right away.
• Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use hand sanitizer.

Signs in Birds

Some wild water birds that have been infected may show no signs of illness. Signs of illness in poultry include:

• Sudden death without signs of illness
• Lack of energy or appetite
• Decreased number of eggs or misshapen eggs
• Swollen head, eyelids, wattles, and hocks
• Purple colored wattles, comb, and legs
• Respiratory issues, such as sneezing, coughing, runny nose and difficulty breathing
• Falling
• Diarrhea

If you own or care for chickens or other types of poultry, learn more about how to protect them from bird flu by visiting the USDA and Cornell Cooperative Extension.