Bird Flu Spreads, But Risk to Humans Remains Low

NEW YORK STATE - The bird flu continues to spread Upstate, with a case in Ulster County, though the risk to human remains low. 

Health officials reported last week that the bird flu killed 50 chickens and ducks on a farm in Ulster County. They also said that no human cases have been identified in New York State.

A positive case of highly pathogenic avian influenza, also known as the bird flu was found at a farm in Ulster County. The flu killed all but two birds on the farm, officials said. The NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets recommended euthanizing the remaining two birds in order to prevent further spread. Human contact with the birds was limited to the owners and a veterinarian, who will remain under surveillance by the Ulster County Department of Health for symptoms, officials added.

An outbreak of the bird flu began in the U.S. in early last year and has primarily affected wild birds, farmed birds, and dairy cows. Contact with an infected bird puts individuals at risk of exposure. Workers on dairy and poultry farms and culling operations are at highest risk, health officials said.

“People working with poultry should consider wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) when working in close proximity to the birds,” in a press release, Ulster County Public Health Director Eve Walter said. “All residents should avoid handling a wild or domestic sick or dead bird.”

No known human case has been identified in New York State. There are also no known cases involving domestic pets, but it’s advisable to keep pets away from dead birds or animals, health officials said.

Any birds demonstrating severe illness or die-offs in backyard poultry should be reported to the NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets Division of Animal Industry at 518-457-3502.

Dead wild birds should be reported to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation at: https://dec.ny.gov/nature/wildlife-health/reporting-dead-wildlife or Animal Diseases.

The state has also issued a notice requiring the cleaning, disinfecting and closure of all live bird markets in New York City, Westchester, Suffolk, and Nassau counties. This follows the detection of the bird flu at seven live bird markets in Queens. the Bronx, and Brooklyn.