First Avian Flu Poultry Case Since 2023 Confirmed in New Jersey

Federal and state partners are coordinating disease response after the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service and the N.J. Department of Agriculture’s Division of Animal Health confirmed a new Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza poultry case in a Union County live bird market. This is the first positive HPAI case for domestic poultry in New Jersey since 2023. “No poultry were sold to the public that may have been infected,” the USDA pointed out.

Bird flu, also known as avian influenza, is a contagious respiratory disease that affects birds. It's caused by the influenza A virus, which is mainly spread between wild aquatic birds. 

The N.J. Department of Environmental Protection’s Fish and Wildlife division and APHIS continue to work with local officials to provide guidance on the safe removal and disposal of dead birds in the wild.

On Long Beach Island, numerous residents have reported dead gulls, ducks, and other birds on the beaches over the past month, causing some concern. However, officials stress that the risk of avian flu to the general public remains low.

Wild birds, including waterfowl and shorebirds, are considered natural reservoirs for avian influenza. Since the beginning of the U.S. outbreak in January 2022, avian influenza has impacted wild and domestic birds in every state. 

Occurrences can be monitored online at aphis.usda.gov/livestock-poultry-disease/avian/avian-influenza/hpai-detections.

      Preventing the spread  

• Avoid contact with birds that appear sick or have died
• Avoid contact with surfaces that have bird feces
• Keep pets (including pet birds) away from sick or dead wild birds