BUNCOMBE COUNTY, NC – January 31, 2025 – According to a January 31st email from Buncombe County government to the County Commissioners, a dead waterfowl at Lake Julian Park has tested positive for bird flu (also known as the H5N1 strain of the influenza virus and avian influenza). It is caused by the avian influenza A virus. Seven other deceased waterfowl were found at the park and test results are pending. The park will remain open. Park visitors are encouraged to avoid touching or feeding the birds and should wash their hands regularly. The Buncombe County Parks and the Public Health departments will be working with other state agencies to prevent the spread to humans. People with job-related or outside exposure to infected birds or animals are at a greater risk of getting infected.
The CDC feels that the risk of transmission of the bird flu virus from birds to the public is low. There has been no evidence of spread of this illness from person-to-person. Bird flu can be transmitted from birds to pets, like cats and dogs, and from birds to livestock, like cattle and poultry. It has been detected in wild mammals like bear.
The first U.S. case of bird flu in a human occurred in Louisiana in January this year, according to the CDC. The person was exposed to infected birds. As of January 6th, there has been 66 confirmed cases of bird flu in humans in the U.S. None have been reported in North Carolina, as of February 4th.
The best way to prevent getting bird flu is to avoid direct contact with wild birds, sick birds, dead birds and animals infected with the virus. Persons who must have close prolonged contact should wear personal protective equipment like gloves and a face mask. The virus has been found in raw cow’s milk or raw dairy products from dairy cows. Infections in humans can occur when enough virus gets into a person’s eyes, nose, mouth, or is inhaled. Symptoms include cough, fever, muscle aches, sore throat, headache and shortness of breath. Infected people commonly have red, irritated eyes.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture says that bird flu cannot be transmitted through safe handling and properly cooking eggs, chicken and beef to an internal temperature of 165 degrees. Eggs, chicken and beef should be refrigerated once brought home from the grocery store.
People should report the presence of many sick or dead birds or dead animals to a park ranger or to the NC Wildlife Helpline at 866-318-2401 or via email at HWI@ncwildlife.org.
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Contact: Dr. Dick Needleman, Health reporter, 103.3 AshevilleFM, healthyasheville@ashevillefm.org