There have been several media reports about recent cases of bird flu in birds, not humans. Below is an update from the Chester Twp Board of Health (Source: NJ Dept of Agriculture)
- There are no reported cases of human infection of H5N1 in NJ.
- Please report suspected sick or dead animals:
- If you find sick or dead wild birds, do not handle them. Contact the NJ Department of Environmental Protection’s Fish and Wildlife hotline using this online form: NJDEP Wild Bird Disease Reporting Form.
- If you suspect sick or dead poultry, do not handle them. Contact the NJ Department of Agriculture’s Division of Animal Health at 609-671-6400.
- The risk to humans is low, but people who have direct contact with infected animals should take precautions to lower risk of infection, including wearing personal protective equipment (PPE), which is available at each county’s Rutgers Cooperative Extension Office. If you suspect that you or your pet may have H5N1, contact the Roxbury Health Department. 973-448-2028).
- https://www.cdc.gov/bird-flu/virus-transmission/avian-in-other-animals.html&source=gmail&ust=1772238350497000&usg=AOvVaw3ejaNSbpuk5He9E2_9s6aw">CDC recommends that pet owners keep their pets away from wild birds and refrain from feeding their pets raw milk or raw pet food.
- The commercial milk supply is safe. The New Jersey Departments of Health and Agriculture caution against the consumption of raw milk and raw milk products by humans and by pets. New Jersey’s dairy herds have tested free of H5N1, earning the State an “Unaffected” status and advancing it to Stage 4 of the USDA’s National Milk Testing Strategy.
- For up-to-date federal guidance, see: CDC | H5N1 Bird flu: Current Situation Summary