Rhode Island has confirmed a new case of avian flu in a domestic bird flock, the state’s second H5N1 infection in noncommercial birds since 2022.
The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) reports the H5N1 strain of avian influenza in a noncommercial farm flock in southern Washington County.
To prevent the spread of the disease and reduce suffering, DEM staff had to euthanize about 40 birds.
State Veterinarian Scott Marshall stresses the importance of biosecurity practices for keeping domestic birds healthy.
“To keep your birds healthy, it’s crucial to have good biosecurity practices in place,” Marshall says. “This means limiting access to your birds, keeping them away from wild birds, especially migratory waterfowl, and making sure cages, coops, and clothes are clean and disinfected.”
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says the public health risk for H5N1 is low. There’s been no person-to-person spread of H5N1 detected in the U.S., and Rhode Island hasn’t had any human cases.
Director of Health Jerry Larkin advises, “Simple prevention measures, like avoiding contact with sick and dead animals, can help keep people healthy and safe.”
Officials assure that the food supply remains safe. Rhode Island is part of a federal program that monitors milk supplies and dairy herds for H5N1. So far, no positive H5N1 samples have been found in milk in the state.
The public is asked to report sick or dying domestic birds to DEM’s Division of Agriculture. For sick or dying wild birds, contact DEM’s Division of Fish & Wildlife.
For more information on H5N1, DEM’s response plan, and answers to common questions, visit www.dem.ri.gov/h5n1.
