What You Need To Know
Overview
H5N1 Avian Influenza is a disease caused by infection with Avian Influenza A virus. Avian Influenza can sicken and kill wild and domesticated birds. H5N1 Avian Influenza is widespread in wild birds worldwide, and additional outbreaks have been identified in US poultry, dairy cattle, and mammals in several US states. The Avian Influenza virus has also been detected in raw (unpasteurized) milk in the US, and the handling or consumption of raw milk may lead to exposure and illness.
Current Situation:
From January to February, H5N1 Avian Influenza outbreaks were confirmed in 110 commercial flocks and 49 backyard flocks involving more than 24 million birds. To date, no infected flocks have been identified in New Jersey. However infected flocks have been detected in surrounding states (NY, PA, Del).
Avian infections have also been identified in limited livestock herds (dairy cattle) in California and Nevada. Infections have been identified sporadically in other mammals, most recently in domestic cats.
To date, 68 human cases of Avian Influenza in the United States have been reported. Most of the cases were exposed to dairy herds or poultry farms that were experiencing outbreaks. Two cases had unknown exposures. As of 2/12/25, no Avian Influenza cases have been reported in NJ.
The current risk of human disease remains low and human-to-human transmission has not been observed.
Signs and Symptoms
Most human cases of bird flu, caused by avian influenza A(H5) virus, in the United States have been mild, so far, and most were in people who had known exposure to sick or infected animals. There has been 1 death in the United States to date.
Symptoms in humans infected with H5N1 Avian Influenza viruses include mild fever, cough, sore throat, nasal congestion, myalgias, fatigue, and headache. Eye redness and irritation (conjunctivitis) have been the predominant symptom in the most recent cases. Less common symptoms include diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, or seizures. The severity of symptoms may vary between patients.
If the patient has flu-like symptoms, ask about the following exposure risks;
- Close (within 6 feet) exposure to any animals with confirmed H5N1 Avian Influenza (exposure includes handling, slaughtering, de-feathering, butchering, culling, or preparing for consumption).
- Direct contact with surfaces contaminated with feces or body parts (carcasses, internal organs) from infected animals.
- Consumption of unpasteurized (“raw”) milk.
- Visiting a live poultry market or dairy farm with confirmed infections or associated with a case of human infection with H5N1 Avian Influenza.
- Close (within 6 feet) unprotected exposure to a person who is confirmed, probable, or symptomatic suspected case of H5N1 Avian Influenza.
HMH Avian Influenza Preparedness and Response
Identification and Isolation
Any patient with Influenza and an exposure risk should have a Respiratory Pathogen Panel (RPP) test to determine the subtype (H1 or H3).
During Flu season, all Influenza A patients admitted to the ICU will also reflex to a Respiratory Pathogen Panel (RPP) for subtyping.
After Flu season, reflex testing will be expanded to all admitted patients with Influenza A.
If a patient has a nontypeable Influenza A result, Airborne and Contact precautions should be initiated and the lab will forward the specimen to the NJ DOH for further testing.
Place all suspect or known H5N1 Avian Influenza patients in an Airborne Infection Isolation Isolation Room (AIIR).
Droplet Precautions should be initiated for all other influenza-positive patients when Avian Influenza is not suspected.
Admitted patients diagnosed with influenza should be on Tamiflu treatment.
Additional Resources
NJDOH Clinical Risk Assessment Tool H5N1