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Avian Influenza (Bird Flu)

Current Situation 

  • H5 bird flu is widespread in wild birds worldwide and is causing outbreaks in poultry and U.S. dairy cows with several recent human cases in U.S. dairy and poultry workers.
  • While the current public health risk is low, CDC is watching the situation carefully and working with states to monitor people with animal exposures.
  • CDC is using its flu surveillance systems to monitor for H5 bird flu activity in people.

Follow the current situation in NY State from the NY State Department of Health (NYSDOH)

Follow the current situation in the US from the CDC

What is Avian Influenza (Bird Flu)?

Avian influenza, sometimes called bird flu or avian flu, is a disease of birds.  It is usually carried by wild ducks and other waterbirds. Sometimes this disease can spread from wild birds into domestic poultry (such as chickens and turkeys). 

Avian influenza and human influenza are both caused by influenza viruses.  Usually, the specific viruses affects either birds or people, but not both.  However, some humans have been infected with avian influenza viruses following direct contact with infected birds (alive or dead), or surfaces contaminated with bird flu viruses.

Bird Flu in Animals

Bird Flu in Birds

Avian (bird) influenza occur naturally among wild aquatic (water) birds and can infect domestic poultry and other bird and animal species. Wild aquatic birds include birds such as ducks, geese, swans, gulls, terns, storks, plovers, sandpipers and others. Domestic poultry includes chicken, ducks, turkeys, and others. 

Avian influenza A viruses are very contagious among birds, and some of these viruses can sicken and even kill certain domesticated birds. 

Infected birds can shed the viruses in their saliva, nose secretions, and feces. Susceptible birds become infected when they have contact with the virus that was shed by infected birds. They also can become infected through contact with surfaces that are contaminated with virus from infected birds.

How to Report Sick or Dead Poultry and/or Wild Birds

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYDEC) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) Wildlife Services program are responsible for conducting surveillance and testing for diseases, including avian influenza, among wild birds. 

Poultry 
  • Persons can report sick or dead poultry (chickens, turkeys, and ducks raised for consumption) to the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets (NYSDAM) by calling (518) 457-3502.   
  • NYSDAM conducts surveillance for avian influenza in sick or dead domestic poultry in NY State. If avian influenza is detected in domestic poultry, NYSDAM works with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to control spread to other flocks. 
Wild Birds

The public can help minimize risk and limit disease spread by preventing contact between domestic animals and wild birds. In cases where DEC field staff are not responding to collect samples or carcasses from the landscape, the public should limit contact with dead wildlife and keep domestic animals away. DEC cannot respond to every single report of an ill bird.

If removal of carcasses is deemed necessary, the public is reminded to wear disposable gloves, a mask, and eye protection. Avoid direct contact with the carcass or carcass fluids by using a shovel and washing hands and clothing immediately after with soap and hot water. Carcasses should be triple bagged (garbage or contractor bags) and placed in an outdoor trash receptacle. 

More Information About Bird Flu in Birds 

Bird Flu in Dairy Cows

We are still learning about how cows spread avian influenza to other cows. One possible way it spreads on farms is through "fomite transmission" (spread through contaminated objects). The virus is found in high concentration in milk, so avian influenza is likely spread from one cow to another when multiple cows share the same milking machines. Avian influenza virus transmission between farms is associated with fomites (such as the movement of vehicles between farms) or the movement of infected animals between farms.

Dairy workers can also be exposed to avian influenza through cow's milk, especially when milk splashes into the workers' eyes, nose, or mouth. Dairy workers can likely also be exposed from contact with other animal secretions, such as nasal mucus.

More Information About Bird Flu in Dairy Cows 

Bird Flu in Pets and Other Animals

Although bird flu viruses mainly infect and spread among wild migratory water birds and domestic poultry, some bird flu viruses can infect and spread to other animals as well. Bird flu viruses have in been known to sometimes infect mammals that eat (presumably infected) birds or poultry, including but not limited to wild animals, such as seals, bears, foxes, skunks; farmed mink; stray or domestic animals, such as cats, dogs, goat kids (juvenile goats), and dairy cows; and zoo animals, such as tigers and leopards. 

To protect your pets, do not let them roam outside where they could be exposed to, or eat the remains of, sick or dead animals including wildlife. Many diseases can cause wild birds or other animals to get sick and die, and some of these diseases could be spread to pets that come into contact with them. There is no vaccine to protect pets against avian influenza.

More Information About Bird Flu in Pets and Other Animals

Bird Flu in People

Although avian (bird) influenza (flu) A viruses usually do not infect people, there have been some rare cases of human infection with these viruses.

Avian influenza A(H7N9) virus, highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) A(H5N1), and A(H5N6) viruses have been responsible for most human illness from avian influenza viruses reported worldwide to date, including the most serious illnesses with high mortality (death).

The spread of bird flu viruses from one infected person to a close contact is very rare, and when it has happened, it has only spread to a few people. However, because of the possibility that bird flu viruses could change and gain the ability to spread easily between people, monitoring for human infection and person-to-person spread is extremely important for public health.

More Information About Bird Flu in People

Additional Information About Bird Flu

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