New England backyard flock tests positive for bird flu; euthanized birds

A flock of poultry in a Vermont backyard was put down after health officials discovered the birds had tested positive for H5N1 avian influenza, or bird flu, the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets said.

The non-commercial, non-poultry birds were inspected by the agency and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Vermont officials said in a statement. statement Thursday. Officials from state and federal agencies took samples Dec. 19 for testing. The tests were confirmed for bird flu.

The owner reported the flock of 24 birds after one died on Dec. 18, followed by more, Vermont officials said. The rest of the herd was quarantined to stop the spread. With the owner’s approval, the birds were euthanized on December 21.

There have been no other reports of illness among other herds in the state. Since 2022, this is the fourth case of bird flu detected in a domestic stock.

There have also been no confirmed cases of bird flu spreading to humans in Vermont or New England. The strain that sickened this herd or killed some birds is not the bird flu strain that affects dairy herds across the country.

In early December, the USDA announced it would test raw and unpasteurized milk samples nationwide for bird flu.

“Since the first detection of HPAI (highly pathogenic avian influenza) in livestock, USDA has worked with our federal, state and industry partners to quickly and diligently identify affected flocks and respond accordingly,” Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said in a statement.

The purpose of the new National Milk Testing Strategy is to help public health partners better understand the virus, how it spreads, and “rapidly identify which states and specific populations within them are affected.”

Bird flu detections have increased in recent days, weeks and months. In Oregon, a cat died after eating pet food that tested positive for bird fluprompting a recall of Northwest Naturals pet food beginning Tuesday.

In Washington, 20 of the Wild Felid Advocacy Center’s big cats, including five African serfs, four lynxes, four cougars and an Amur/Bengal tiger, have died of bird flu, the center said on social media Friday. The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife also detected bird flu in two cougars elsewhere in the state.

The first severe human case of bird flu was detected in Louisiana by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on December 13. The person was infected with a virus genotype related to that found in wild birds and poultry and other recent human cases. in British Columbia, Canada and Washington, the agency said in a statement. This genotype is different from the one detected in dairy cows.

In response to this detection of a severe case of bird flu, California Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency “to streamline and expedite the state’s response” to the virus, Newsom’s office said.

Another case of bird flu in one person was detected in Los Angeles County. That person had mild symptoms, was treated and is recovering at home, the Los Angeles Department of Public Health said. statement.

“People rarely get sick with bird flu, but those who interact with infected animals or wildlife are at higher risk of infection,” Los Angeles County Health Officer Muntu Davis said in the statement. “This case reminds us to take basic precautions to prevent People should avoid unprotected contact with sick or dead animals, including cows, poultry and wild birds, avoid eating raw or undercooked animal products milk cruel and protects pets and backyard birds from exposure to wild animals.”

Symptoms of bird flu include red or watery eyes, fever, cough or difficulty breathing, sore throat, muscle or body aches, diarrhea and vomiting, LA County health officials said.

“Anyone who has been exposed to sick animals and is experiencing symptoms of H5 bird flu should contact their health care provider and local health department immediately,” SoCal health officials added.

In both Louisiana and California, there have been no person-to-person infections, health officials said.