Bird Flu Detected In New London County Family’s Flock Of Avian Pets

Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza, also known as H5N1 or the bird flu, was confirmed in a backyard flock of pet birds in New London County on Friday, according to the state departments of Agriculture and Public Health, prompting renewed warnings about biosecurity and vigilance.

The backyard flock, consisting of chickens, ducks, and peacocks, were family pets – not commercial poultry – and had been in close contact with wild waterfowl in a nearby pond. State officials confirmed that the case is in New London County, but they refused to comment on any additional details. Requests for the location of the family’s home – by town only – were refused.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the virus primarily spreads among birds and dairy cows. However, the CDC reports that there also have been 67 human cases reported nationwide since Jan. 1, 2024. There was one human fatality, but the CDC said the rest of the cases involved mild symptoms and the victims were primarily farm workers or individuals with direct exposure to sick poultry.

The Connecticut case comes just weeks after the first US death from bird flu was reported in Louisiana. The deceased individual was over the age of 65, reportedly suffered from underlying health conditions, and had been exposed to sick birds in a backyard flock. The CDC confirmed that the virus had mutated within the patient, leading to severe illness.

The details of the Louisiana fatality are an indicator of the serious nature of H5N1, although public health experts continue to emphasize that the current risk to the general public remains low. Health officials have yet to report any evidence of person-to-person transmission.

According to public health officials, the best way to protect yourself is to avoid contact with sick or dead birds or animals. People who work with birds, poultry, or cows, or who have recreational exposure to them, are at higher risk and should maintain extra caution. Key steps include keeping wild birds and rodents away from coops, avoiding any contact between domestic birds and wild waterfowl, washing hands and disinfecting boots before and after handling poultry, and reducing traffic around areas where poultry are housed. 

The Agriculture Department also advises the public to only buy birds from trusted, reputable sellers.

Signs of H5N1 infection in a flock include a sudden increase in bird deaths, sneezing, coughing, nasal discharge, watery or green diarrhea, lack of energy, poor appetite, drop in egg production, swelling around the eyes, neck, and head, and purple discoloration of wattles, combs, and legs.

Dr. Manisha Juthani, commissioner of the state Department of Public Health, reiterated that proper cooking of poultry and eggs to an internal temperature of 165°F kills the virus.

“The current risk of infection from H5N1 to residents of Connecticut remains low,” she said. “However, we must remain watchful and take appropriate precautions.”

Bird flu can present in humans with a wide range of symptoms, from mild or no symptoms at all to more severe. According to the CDC, most human cases have resulted in mild symptoms. These can include eye redness or irritation, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headaches, and fatigue. In more moderate to severe cases, symptoms may escalate to high fever, difficulty breathing, altered mental status, seizures, and death.

If you have been exposed to sick or dead birds, or if you work on a farm where avian influenza has been detected, it is important to monitor for respiratory symptoms or conjunctivitis. If symptoms develop within 10 days of exposure, contact your healthcare provider and mention your exposure to sick animals.

Residents are encouraged to report sick or dead birds to the state at 860-713-2505 or by emailing [email protected].