Bird Flu Spreads to Pet Birds in Vermont

Had a backyard flock in Vermont sick With H5N1, agriculture officials said Thursday, the following other Bird flu-related animal deaths reported this month outside of commercial farms and wildlife.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture and state regulators said they learned of the incident on Dec. 18 after a bird in a non-commercial flock died. The next day, they confirmed the presence of an H5N1 strain of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) and more deaths in a flock of two dozen “non-poultry” birds. (Officials did not specify the type or species of birds.) Vermont’s Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets (VAAFM) said it quarantined and later killed the rest of the flock.

The Oregon Department of Agriculture says there have been reports of sick birds Associated with the death of a house cat For an H5N1 strain it has been detected in Northwest Naturals-brand “raw and frozen pet food.” And earlier in December, an outbreak occurred at a wildlife sanctuary in Washington state Killed 20 big cats. The incidents are part of a larger wave of H5N1 disease affecting wild birds, including poultry, cattle, cats and humans. However, Vermont officials said of the backyard herd: “Lab testing confirmed that this case of HPAI is not the same strain currently affecting dairy cattle herds in other states across the country.”

VAAFM added, “Although HPAI is considered a low risk to human health, those who came into contact with infected birds or their environment are being monitored by the Vermont Department of Health.” Officials noted that this was the fourth such incident in the state in less than three years and urged animal owners to Protect their birds and cattle from H5N1 with “correct biosecurity practices.”

As documented by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 65 human cases H5 bird flu in the United States as of December 24, almost all of which are linked to dairy and poultry farms in California, Washington state and Colorado. The agency also said it is aware of seven “potential cases” across California, Washington, Arizona and Delaware.

Human infections have been largely mild, but the CDC confirmed The first “serious” case In the US in early December. Officials linked that case to backyard poultry, not human-to-human transmission.

On its tracking site, the CDC writes that “current public health risks [from bird flu] Low.” Still, the agency advises people to avoid close contact with wild birds and any infected animals and Stick to pasteurized milk products.