May 20, 2024
H5N1 avian flu detected in wild birds in New York City, US
The H5N1 avian flu virus has been discovered in a small number of wild birds in New York City, US, HealthDay reported.
The highly infectious virus was detected in faecal samples from six birds of four different species, according to a report published in the Journal of Virology.
Bird flu is now widespread in wild birds globally and has been causing outbreaks in US poultry and dairy cattle, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Christine Marizzi, principal investigator of the New York City Virus Hunters Programme, said the discovery of H5N1 in city birds does not signal the start of a human influenza pandemic.
Marizzi said H5N1 has been around in New York City for about two years and there have been no human cases reported.
- HealthDay