What is H5N1? H5N1 (called “Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza” or “bird flu”) is a disease caused by influenza A viruses. Wild birds, particularly waterfowl, can carry and spread these viruses but may show no signs of illness. However, H5N1 can cause severe disease and death in domestic poultry (such as chickens, turkeys, ducks, and geese). H5N1 is causing illness in dairy cattle in multiple states as well, and cases of H5N1 have also been reported in wild birds, mammals, and other domestic companion animals, such as cats. People with close or prolonged contact with infected animals or contaminated environments may be at a higher risk of avian influenza infection.

Click here for Bird FLU Guidance information. 

• There are no reported cases of human infection of H5N1 in New Jersey.
• The risk to humans is low, but people who have direct contact with infected animals should take precautions to lower risk of infection. (See CDC’s Reducing Risk for People Working with or Exposed to Animals)
• 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. (See NJ guidance)
• Report sick or dead wild birds to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection hotline: 877-WARN-DEP (877-927-6337)
• Report sick or dead domestic birds (backyard poultry) to the New Jersey Department of Agriculture Division of Animal Health: 609-671-6400
• Additional guidance for local health partners, health care providers, and the public can be found at nj.gov/H5N1 and nj.gov/health/cd/topics/novel_flu.shtml

To reduce risks of exposure to H5N1 bird flu, individuals can take the following precautions:

• Avoid direct contact with wild birds; observe them from a distance.
• Avoid unprotected contact with wild or domestic birds that appear sick or have died.
• Only eat or drink milk or dairy products made from pasteurized milk and avoid feeding pets raw milk or dairy products. Raw (unpasteurized) milk or dairy products can contain germs that make people and pets sick.
• Cook poultry, eggs, and beef to appropriate internal temperatures before eating. https://www.fsis.usda.gov/food-safety/safe-food-handling-and-preparation/food-safety-basics/safe-temperature-chart
• Review information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for specific groups and take additional precautions, including wearing PPE if you may be in contact with infected or potentially infected birds, dairy cows, or other animals.

• Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) “Bird Flu” (NJDOH)
  • https://www.nj.gov/health/cd/documents/topics/Novel%20Flu/HPAI_2024_FAQ.pdf
• H5N1 Informational Videos (CDC)
  • https://www.cdc.gov/bird-flu/video-series/index.html
  • https://espanol.cdc.gov/bird-flu/video-series/index.html
• Avian Influenza Dairy Cattle (NJDA)
  • https://www.nj.gov/agriculture/divisions/ah/pdf/NJDA%20Avian%20Influenza%20in%20Dairy%20Cattle%20FAQs.pdf

• Backyard Poultry (CDC)
  • https://www.cdc.gov/healthy-pets/about/backyard-poultry.html
• How Infected Backyard Poultry Could Spread Bird Flu to People (CDC)
  • https://www.cdc.gov/bird-flu/media/pdfs/2024/07/avian-flu-transmission.pdf
  • https://www.cdc.gov/bird-flu/media/pdfs/2024/07/avian-flu-transmission-spanish.pdf
  • https://www.cdc.gov/bird-flu/media/pdfs/2024/07/avian-flu-transmission-simplified-chinese.pdf
• How to Protect Your Birds – Backyard Biosecurity (USDA) (English/Spanish)
  • https://www.nj.gov/agriculture/divisions/ah/pdf/backyardbiosecurity.pdf
• How Infected Backyard Poultry Could Spread Bird to People (CDC) (English, Spanish, Simplified Chinese)
  • https://www.cdc.gov/bird-flu/communication-resources/avian-flu-transmission.html
• Poultry Handwashing Sticker (CDC)
  • https://www.cdc.gov/healthy-pets/media/images/Poultry-Handwashing-Sticker_1200x600.jpg
• Checklist for Cleaning and Disinfecting Poultry Enclosures (USDA)
  • https://www.aphis.usda.gov/sites/default/files/fs-c-birds-checklist-cleaning-disenfect.pdf
• Checklist for Managing Poultry Manure and Litter (USDA)
  • https://www.aphis.usda.gov/sites/default/files/fsc-birds-checklist-manure-litter.pdf
• CDC Coops Videos
  • https://www.cdc.gov/healthy-pets/educational-materials/videos.html

Workers

• Information for Workers (NJDOH)
  • https://www.nj.gov/health/cd/documents/topics/Novel%20Flu/Bird_Flu_Workers_English.pdf (English)
  • https://www.nj.gov/health/cd/documents/topics/Novel%20Flu/Bird_Flu_Workers_Spanish.pdf (Spanish)
• Protection When Working with Farm Animals (CDC)
  • https://www.cdc.gov/bird-flu/media/pdfs/2024/09/H5-Wear-personal-protective-equipment-09192024-FINAL-CLEAN.pdf (English)
  • https://www.cdc.gov/bird-flu/media/pdfs/2024/11/farm-workers-put-on-ppe-8_5x11-spanish.pdf (Spanish)
• Avian Flu Poultry Worker (OSHA)
  • https://www.osha.gov/sites/default/files/publications/poultry_employees.pdf (English)
  • https://www.osha.gov/sites/default/files/publications/poultry_employees_sp.pdf (Spanish)

Hunters

• Information for Hunters (NJDEP)
  • https://dep.nj.gov/njfw/highly-pathogenic-avian-influenza/
• Hunters – Protect Your Poultry and Pet Birds from Avian Influenza (USDA)
  • https://www.nj.gov/health/cd/documents/flu/flu/Protect_Poultry_PetBirds_Avian_Influenza.pdf

Tips to stay healthy around animals

• Summer Fair Brochure (New Jersey Department of Agriculture)
  • https://www.nj.gov/health/cd/documents/topics/Novel%20Flu/Bird%20Flu_Summer_Fairs_Brochure.pdf

• NJ.gov
  • https://www.nj.gov/H5N1/
• New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH)
  • https://www.nj.gov/health/cd/topics/novel_flu.shtml
• New Jersey Department of Agriculture
  • https://www.nj.gov/agriculture/divisions/ah/diseases/avian_influenza.html
• New Jersey Fish and Wildlife, Department of Environmental Protection
  • https://dep.nj.gov/njfw/highly-pathogenic-avian-influenza/
• H5 Bird Flu Current Situation (CDC)
  • https://www.cdc.gov/bird-flu/situation-summary/index.html
• Avian Influenza (Bird Flu) (CDC)
  • https://www.cdc.gov/bird-flu/
• Information for specific groups (CDC)
  • https://www.cdc.gov/bird-flu/groups/

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