What You Need to Know About Avian Influenza Virus | News & Stories | DHMC and Clinics – Dartmouth-Hitchcock

The public risk of getting Avian Influenza Virus is still low.Known also as Influenza A subtype H5N1, the virus—which some call informally bird flu—has been identified in a small number of people across the country.But infections in humans remain rare, and there have been no human cases reported in New England.The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says that as of February 14, 68 total human infections had been reported across the entire United States.These human cases were mostly mild respiratory illnesses or cases of conjunctivitis due to direct eye contact, but one person has died from their illness.There is so far no evidence of human-to-human transmission, but you can still take measures to protect yourself, especially if you have backyard poultry.H5N1 avian influenza outbreaks have occurred among commercial and backyard poultry and dairy cattle across the United States.While there has been some detection in domestic or backyard poultry flocks in northern New England, there has been no detection within commercial poultry or dairy cattle in our region.The USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service National Veterinary Services Laboratories reported in early February 2025 that a second strain of H5N1 avian influenza called D1.1 was introduced into cattle in Nevada. This strain has been identified in 15 people across five states in the past year, but all were related to poultry exposure.The remainder of the 68 confirmed human cases of H5N1 in the U.S. in the past year have been from the originally identified B3.13 strain.The D1.1 strain has been linked to two deaths: a death in Louisiana and a second death in British Columbia. The introduction of this strain into cattle is concerning because of the potential for transmission among a different population of animals, not just poultry.You are still unlikely to catch either strain of the virus from another human, but you could catch either strain from an infected animal.Among those in the country who have been diagnosed with the virus, the leading presenting symptom has been conjunctivitis. In some cases, conjunctivitis was the only symptom present.We are monitoring the virus closely. Federal agencies like the CDC have recently made some changes in how they communicate information.However, infection prevention and epidemiology experts across Dartmouth Health continue to communicate regularly with local and regional health departments to make sure that we are providing the most up-to-date information and guidance.We can respond quickly and effectively to any health threats, using the latest evidence-based protocols and recommendations to keep both patients and staff safe.To help reduce risks of human-to-human spread in healthcare facilities:Source: Prevention and Antiviral Treatment of Avian Influenza A Viruses in People | Bird Flu | CDCAs a general precaution, people should try to avoid direct contact with sick or dead wild birds, poultry, and other animals and observe them only from a distance. Know, too, that wild birds can be infected even if they don’t look sick.If you must have direct/close contact with sick or dead wild birds, poultry, or other animals:Source: Prevention and Antiviral Treatment of Avian Influenza A Viruses in People | Bird Flu | CDCAvoid attracting wild birds to your residence.If you hunt, take a family outing to a river or lake, or even golf (ponds and waterfowl), do not go into your chicken coop for at least 72 hours.Limit or halt any travel with your birds to sales, shows and swaps.Limit who visits your birds at home. If someone must visit your birds:Only give your chickens tap water. Most backyard breeders are not going to collect water from a pond, but if you do, please stop. Ponds attract waterfowl, and the water is more likely to become infected with the flu virus.More storiesCopyright © 2025 Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center and Dartmouth Hitchcock Clinics. All rights reserved.

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