1st Bird Flu Case Detected In Burlington Co.

PEMBERTON, NJ — A dead goose in Burlington County tested positive for H5N1 avian influenza, marking the county's first-known case of bird flu strain, officials said Thursday.

The wild Canada goose was found dead in Pemberton earlier this month. It was with other wild geese, according to the Burlington County Health Department.

State environmental officials tested the bird as part of New Jersey's avian-influenza monitoring. The county health department was notified Wednesday evening about the presumed positive test.

It's the county's first confirmed case of the ongoing outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza, which has devastated egg and poultry farms over the past three years.

Egg prices around the nation have skyrocketed because of the flu-induced shortage.

Clusters of sick and deceased birds have been discovered around the state in recent weeks. But no H5N1 cases among humans or domestic poultry or cattle have been reported in the state.

"Our Health Department was expecting H5N1’s eventual arrival and we had already started making preparations," said Dr. Holly Funkhouser Cucuzzella, director of Burlington County's health department. "The risk to public health in Burlington County is still low but we want residents to be informed and vigilant."

"Residents should avoid all contact with dead or sick birds and those keeping poultry flocks should take special precautions," Cucuzzella continued. "We are also asking residents to report deaths of wild or domestic birds, especially large groups of them."

The CDC has reported human cases have been reported around the nation, including one death. There is no known person-to-person spread of the virus.

The Burlington County Health Department created a webpage with information about H5N1.

Recommended precautions from the health department include the following:

• Avoid contact with wild birds, including waterfowl such as ducks and geese. Observe them at a distance.
  
• Avoid unprotected contact with wild or domestic birds that are dead or appear sick.
• Report cases of dead or sick wild birds to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection at 1-877-WARNDEP (877-927-6337). Wild birds will no longer be tested, but dead birds should still be reported for monitoring purposes.
• Cases of dead or sick domestic birds or livestock should be reported to the New Jersey Department of Agriculture's Division of Animal Health at 609-671-6400 or by emailing state.veterinarian@ag.nj.gov .
• Only eat or drink milk or dairy products made from pasteurized milk; Cook poultry, eggs and beef to appropriate internal temperatures before eating.
• Poultry farmers and residents with backyard chicken flocks should take special precautions to ensure backyard birds are kept either indoors or in areas that are fully enclosed and away from wild birds and their waste. These owners should wash and sanitize your hands before and after handling birds. Owners should also know the signs of avian flu and report any suspected infection immediately to the Department of Agorculture’s Division of Animal Health.
• Special precautions should be taken to dispose of dead birds. Click here for guidance.
• Pet owners are encouraged to keep dogs and cats from running loose outdoors and away from areas with high concentrations of geese or geese waste. Owners should also avoid feeding pets raw meat or poultry or unpasteurized milk.
• Pet owners who notice signs of illness in their pet bird, cat, dog or any other domesticated animal should immediately contact their family veterinarian to safely examine your pet and test for bird flu if needed.