FEAR! It's time to be terrified because Connecticut is in the midst of a Bird Flu outbreak.

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According to the Stamford Advocate:

State officials are warning flock-owners in Connecticut that they should take precautions, including limiting traffic on their property, to prevent the spread of the avian flu. In recent weeks, two backyard flocks in the state — one in New London County and one in New Haven County — had to be depopulated, or euthanized, and their areas quarantined after they contracted the illness.

 

We wanted to know more about this, so we called on our wildlife expert Jen "The Zookeeper" who broke down everything you need to know about bird flu in Connecticut.

What is Bird Flu?

Bird flu (avian influenza) is an infection from a type of influenza virus that usually spreads in birds and other animals. There has been an active bird flu outbreak in the United States since 2022, when the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention identified the first case in wild birds since 2016.

Where is this happening?

H5 bird flu is widespread in wild birds worldwide and is being reported in an increasing number of animals worldwide in addition to outbreaks in poultry and U.S. dairy herds. Though called “bird flu,” the current outbreak of avian influenza has primarily impacted livestock in the United States, most notably dairy herds.

Who started this and how?!

Wild water birds are the hosts of avian influenza A viruses. Infected birds and other animals can spread the virus through their mucous, saliva or feces (poop).

Which birds are most likely to carry bird flu?

Wild birds that can carry avian influenza viruses include waterbirds, like ducks, geese and swans, and shorebirds, like storks. While most wild birds can be infected with avian influenza A viruses without being sick, poultry, like chickens and turkeys, can get infected and get very sick and die from certain avian influenza viruses. Most common songbirds or other birds found in the yard, like cardinals, robins, sparrows, blue jays, crows or pigeons, do not get infected with avian influenza viruses.

Are people getting sick?

Sometimes, humans can get bird flu from infected animals. Like the flu strains that people usually get, bird flu can make you severely ill. However, most people in the US that have contracted this bird flu have only mild cases and recover. At the moment, it’s extremely rare for it to spread from person to person. HOWEVER! If this virus mutates, it could lead to the next pandemic and spread from person to person. Scientists are keeping a close eye. Humans can get bird flu if they come in contact with an infected animal’s body fluid like saliva, milk, respiratory droplets or poop. You can breathe it in from small dust particles in animal habitats or get it into your eyes, nose or mouth after touching body fluids.

Who is getting sick?

66 people across the US have contracted avian flu, mostly folks that work directly with birds and cattle. Cattle get it from wild birds.

Can other animals get bird flu?

There was an avian flu outbreak recently in a big cat sanctuary out west that killed over half of the captive cats in their collection. Another was a zoo that lost some of their feline species and birds as well. Felids are more susceptible to avian flu than canids. Penguins in Antarctica as well as a polar bear in Alaska perished from this virus. As of Thursday morning (1/30/25), CT’s own Beardsley Zoo had a confirmed goose that tested positive for Avian flu. They will now put their safety protocol in place to keep the rest of the animals and staff safe to keep the avian flu from spreading.

What should I do?

Educate yourself on the bird flu and call your doctor or vet if you or your pets are exhibiting flu like symptoms. Don’t drink raw milk or undercooked chicken. Don’t feed your pets a raw diet for now. Keep cats inside so they don’t eat birds that may be infected. Keep it wild! (But wash your hands.)

More on Jen "The Zookeeper"

Jen Kotkin
Jen Kotkin
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Jen has been immersed in the conservation & science education field for over 30 years. While working as Director of Animal Care for The New Canaan Nature Center in Connecticut, she was responsible for the care of native wildlife and birds of prey, while teaching the public about the roles of these wild neighbors. While with the Bronx Zoo and Los Angeles Zoo, Jen’s main priority was the care of exotic hoof stock, again while teaching the public about the delicate balance of humans & habitats. While working with a wildlife sanctuary in Half Moon Bay, CA, Jen played a major role in the wildlife training and handling of some 50 exotic species. Her major focus was creating curriculum for a variety of programs including at-risk and foster youth programming. These programs encompassed helping fragile children gain a sense of trust and worthwhile developing a healing relationship with the non-releasable wildlife at the sanctuary. Currently, Jen is the owner and sole proprietor of Jen Kotkin Pet Care, providing pet care as well as mental and physical exercise &amp, stimulation for dogs, cats, horses, birds and more! Jen continues to create a variety of programs catered to the needs of many organizations. Her passion for teaching about the natural world to those around her is important and hopes to ignite this spark for others.

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