WESTAMPTON - The Burlington County Health Department announced the county's first bird to test positive for H5N1 avian influenza, also known as bird flu, this week and encouraged residents to take precautions by avoiding contact with any sick or dead birds they encounter.

The positive test is from a wild Canada goose that was found dead with other wild geese earlier this month in Pemberton. The bird was tested by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection as part of its avian influenza monitoring and the Burlington County Health Department was notified of the presumed positive test Wednesday evening.

The positive test marks the first confirmed case of highly pathogenic avian influenza in Burlington County since the nationwide outbreak started in 2022. Clusters of sick and deceased wild birds have also been discovered in several other New Jersey counties, including Atlantic, Cape May, Cumberland, Monmouth, Salem and Warren.

Health officials stressed that the respiratory disease is still primarily an animal health issue and the risk to humans is still low. Humans with close or prolonged contact with infected animals can become infected, but the virus is not known to be transmitted from human to human at this time.

"Our Health Department was expecting H5N1's eventual arrival and we had already started making preparations," said Burlington County Health Department Director Dr. Holly Funkhouser Cucuzzella. "The risk to public health in Burlington County is still low but we want residents to be informed and vigilant. Residents should avoid all contact with dead or sick birds and those keeping poultry flocks should take special precautions. We are also asking residents to report deaths of wild or domestic birds, especially large groups of them."

Burlington County Commissioner Tyler Burrell, liaison to the County Health Department, said the County would work closely with state and local partners to mitigate any risks for to local residents and animals.

"Burlington County is committed to protecting public health and we are grateful to have such experienced and knowledgeable health and emergency management teams to lead our response to this avian influenza," said Burrell. "Burlington County residents can help us by staying informed and taking precautions to keep people, pets and backyard poultry away from wild birds or areas where wild birds have been known to frequent."

The Burlington County Health Department has created a special H5N1 Avian Influenza webpage with the latest information and guidance about the outbreak at https://www.co.burlington.nj.us/2115/H5N1-Bird-Flu .

Information is also being distributed to municipalities to share and posted in all County parks to increase awareness.

Among the recommended precautions residents should take:

Avoid contact with wild birds, including waterfowl such as ducks and geese; observe them at a distance;

Avoid unprotected contact with wild or domestic birds that appear sick or have died; report cases of dead or sick wild birds to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection at 1-877-WARNDEP (877-927-6337); NOTE: Wild birds will no longer be tested but dead birds should still be reported for monitoring purposes.

Cases of dead or sick domestic birds or livestock should be reported to the New Jersey Department of Agriculture's Division of Animal Health at 609-671-6400 or by emailing [email protected] .

Only eat or drink milk or dairy products made from pasteurized milk; Cook poultry, eggs and beef to appropriate internal temperatures before eating;

Poultry farmers and residents with backyard chicken flocks should take special precautions to ensure backyard birds are kept either indoors or in areas that are fully enclosed and away from wild birds and their waste. These owners should wash and sanitize your hands before and after handling birds. Owners should also know the signs of avian flu and report any suspected infection immediately to the Department of Agriculture's Division of Animal Health.

Special precautions should be taken to dispose of dead birds. Guidance is available at https://www.co.burlington.nj.us/DocumentCenter/View/21099/Safe-Disposal-of-Dead-Birds .

Pet owners are encouraged to keep dogs and cats from running loose outdoors and away from areas with high concentrations of geese or geese waste; owners should also avoid feeding pets raw meat or poultry or unpasteurized milk.

Pet owners who notice signs of illness in their pet bird, cat, dog or any other domesticated animal should immediately contact their family veterinarian to safely examine your pet and test for bird flu if needed.

Additional guidance is available on the New Jersey H5N1 page at https://www.nj.gov/H5N1/ .