Dozens of dead birds, including ducks, geese and gulls, were found on a beach in East Patchogue, Long Island in New York State’s Suffolk County. Authorities have confirmed that they are positive for H5N1 avian influenza, which is already widespread in the area. The risk to humans is low, but the public is urged to avoid contact with the dead animals and to keep their pets away from them. Bird flu has killed not only fowl, but also cows, cats and foxes in this latest outbreak. In the same area earlier this month, bird flu had already spread through the Crescent Duck Farm in Aquebogue, forcing its owners to cull nearly 100,000 infected ducks.
The U.S. Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), which went to the site to view the bird die-off, will collect some samples from the deceased birds to conduct laboratory tests and detect the possible presence of the H5N1 virus. Department officials urged the community to close the beach to avoid any contact with the dead birds found there, as the virus can be transmitted through physical contact.
According to experts, avian influenza can spread by direct contact from one infected human to another through saliva, secretions and feces. Viral particles concentrated in the air and through consumption of raw food or unpasteurized milk can also transmit the virus. According to the CDC, eye redness and flu-like symptoms in humans are the most common signs of human infection and are usually mild, although there are fatal cases on record. The current outbreak is devastating bird populations beyond Long Island, as USA Today reports that more than 1,500 sandhill cranes have died of the disease in Indiana.
