With the recent detection of avian flu in New York City, there are concerns about spread of the disease in New Jersey.
New Jersey officials maintain the risk to humans from bird flu, or H5N1, remains low, but New Jersey Health Commissioner Kaitlan Baston is urging people “to understand your risks and take the necessary precautions to mitigate those risks.”
Baston said, “People whose jobs or hobbies potentially expose them to birds or other infected animals, or who consume undercooked or uncooked poultry, eggs, or raw milk could be at greater risk. Together with our state and federal partners, we continue to monitor the situation and are committed to ensuring the health and well-being of residents and workers in New Jersey.”
The virus has been detected in wild birds in New Jersey, but there are no reported cases of human infection in the state. Officials in Wall Township said they suspect avian flu could be responsible for the deaths of about 30 waterfowl found on the banks of the Shark River in Monmouth County this month.
The state Department of Environmental Protection has been tracking an outbreak of wild bird deaths due to the avian flu since late December. The department told NJ Spotlight News it may test the carcasses of the birds that died in Monmouth County for the virus, but say it’s too early to verify it as the cause of death.
Officials here are also urging precautions after New York City and surrounding counties closed all live bird markets after avian flu was detected. In response, the New Jersey Department of Agriculture “asked that live bird markets in New Jersey do a voluntary cleaning and disinfection of their market and equipment and then wait a prescribed downtime per industry protocols before restocking their markets. We have also asked New Jersey distributors of live bird markets to do a cleaning and disinfection of their facilities as well.”
“State agencies are working closely together and with federal partners to rapidly assess and respond to any threats,” DEP Commissioner Shawn LaTourette said.
