The Burlington County Health Department announced the first county bird to be tested positive for the H5N1 avian flu, also known as the bird flu, this week and encouraged residents to take precautions by avoiding contact with The sick or dead birds they meet.
The positive test comes from a wild Canadian goose that was found dead with other wild geese early in Pemberton. The bird was tested by the New Jersey environmental protection department as part of its monitoring of avian influenza and the Burlington County Health Department was informed of the positive test alleged on Wednesday evening.
The positive test marks the first confirmed case of highly pathogenic avian flu in Burlington County since the national epidemic began in 2022. Groups of sick and deceased wild birds were also discovered in several other New Jersey counties, In particular Atlantic, Cape May, Cumberland, Monmouth, Salem and Warren.
Health officials have stressed that respiratory disease is still mainly an animal health problem and that the risk for humans is still low. Humans with close or prolonged contact with infected animals can be infected, but the virus is not known to be transmitted from humans to human at present.
“Our health service expected the possible arrival of H5N1 and we had already started to make preparations,” said Department of Health of Burlington County, Dr. Holly Funkhouser Cucuzzella. “The risk to public health in Burlington County is always low, but we want residents to be informed and vigilant. Residents must avoid contact with dead or sick birds and those who kept herds of poultry must take special precautions. We also ask residents to report the death of wild or domestic birds, especially large groups. »»
Burlington County Commissioner, Tyler Burrell, connection with the County Health Department, said the county would work closely with states and local partners to mitigate the risks for residents and local animals.
“Burlington County is committed to protecting public health and we are grateful to have experienced and competent health and emergency management teams to direct our response to this avian flu,” said Burrell. “Residents of Burlington County can help us by remaining informed and taking precautions to keep people, pets and backyard poultry far from wild birds or areas where wild birds are known to attend. »»
The Burlington County Health Department has created a special H5N1 avian flu web page with the latest information and advice on the epidemic to the epidemic https://www.co.burlington.nj.us/2115/h5n1-bird-flu .
Information is also under distribution to municipalities to share and display in all county parks to increase awareness.
Among the recommended precautions, residents should take:
- Avoid contact with wild birds, including savage as ducks and geese; Observe them remotely;
- Avoid unprotected contacts with wild or domestic birds that seem sick or are dead; Report cases of dead or sick wild birds to New Jersey environmental protection department at 1-877-Warndep (877-927-6337); Note: Wild birds will no longer be tested, but dead birds should always be reported for surveillance purposes.
- Cases of dead or sick domestic birds must be reported Animal health division of the New Jersey Ministry of Agriculture at 609-671-6400 or by e-mail state.veterinarian@ag.nj.gov .
- Do not eat or drink milk or dairy products based on pasteurized milk; Cook poultry, eggs and beef to appropriate internal temperatures before eating;
- Poultry farmers and residents with herds of backyard chicken should take special precautions to ensure that the birds of the backyard are kept inside or in the areas which are entirely closed and Far from wild birds and their waste. These owners should wash and disinfect your hands before and after handling birds. The owners should also know the signs of avian flu and point out any infection immediately suspected to the animal health division of the Ministry of Agerculture.
- Special precautions should be taken to eliminate dead birds. Advice is available at https://www.co.burlington.nj.us/documentcenter/view/21099/safe-disposopos-of-dead-birds .
- Animal owners are encouraged to prevent dogs and cats from detaching themselves outside and far from areas with high concentrations of geese or wasted geese; Owners should also avoid feeding raw meat or poultry or non -pasteurized milk pets.
- Animal owners who Notice signs of illness in their pets for pets, cats, dogs or any other domestic animal Should immediately contact their family veterinarian to examine your pet safely and test the bird flu if necessary.
Additional advice is available on the New Jersey H5N1 page to https://www.nj.gov/h5n1/ .