Dead wild bird tests positive for bird flu in Hays County
AUSTIN (KXAN) — A dead wild bird tested positive for the avian influenza, also known as the bird flu, in Hays County, according to Hays County.
The county said the Hays County Health Department (HCHD) was notified Friday from the Texas Department of State health Services (DSHS) about the positive test.
“[Hays County] Health Department Staff will continue to monitor the development of bird flu in Hays County in coordination with DSHS and the CDC,” Health Department Manager Matthew Gonzales said in the release. “The health department wants to assure the public the threat and risk continue to remain low for human transmission within the community.”
The bird flu is a disease known to affect wild birds, especially waterfowl, as well as domestic poultry, according to the Hays County. Although human bird flu infections are uncommon, a total of 70 cases have been reported nationwide, including one death, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Roughly 160 million birds have been slaughtered in an attempt to slow the virus since the outbreak started in 2022, according to The Associated Press.
According to Hays County, the risk to the public for the bird flu remains low.
“At this time there is no known person-to-person spread. Hays County Health Department advises that those who work with wild birds, poultry, or dairy cows – or have direct contact during recreational exposure to these animals – are at a greater risk for contracting bird flu if
exposed to a sick or infected animal,” the county said.
Additionally, the CDC recommended the public to avoid coming into direct contact with wild birds and other animals.
“Wild animals could potentially be infected with bird flu or other pathogens,” the release said.
Here are some tips to avoid exposure, as provided by the county below:
- Don’t touch sick or dead animals or their droppings, and don’t bring sick wild animals into your home.
- Pets need to be kept away from sick or dead animals, as well as their feces.
- Avoid uncooked food products, like unpasteurized raw milk or cheese.
- Contact your healthcare provider for evaluation if you experience illness after contact with sick or dead birds.
