Bird Flu Flies Into Westport

Five years to the week after COVID slammed into Westport, our town faces another highly contagious disease.

H5N1 avian influenza — commonly called bird flu — is here.

Yesterday’s “06880” Roundup included a photo of 2 dead birds in the waters of Ned Dimes Marina, at Compo Beach. Another dead bird was spotted nearby, on the Longshore golf course.

Dead birds, at the Ned Dimes Marina.

However, I reassured readers, “the CDC website shows no reported cases in Connecticut — or east of Ohio.”

Quickly, Peter Reid emailed “06880” with a message: Not so fast.

The town’s animal control officer said: “I’m afraid we do have avian flu in Westport.

“I began seeing symptoms in birds brought from Westport last month. I informed Vanessa Hurta at the Aspetuck Health District, and she has posted some excellent information in the public health section of their site.” (Click here to see, under “Helpful Links.”)

Wildlife in Crisis — where Reid also works — saw its first cases in geese last month, he says.

A pretty sight — but potentially pretty dangerous.

“Now we are seeing various scavenger species coming down with it, including crows, vultures and hawks.

“Wild canids, notably fox, are also scavenging goose carcasses in Westport and are at risk. Wild canids and cats in New York State have tested positive for flu. There are no confirmed cases in Connecticut yet.

“Domestic dogs and cats that are allowed to roam and scavenge carcasses could be at risk.”

Reid says 70 to 80 cases of flu are confirmed in humans in the United States. Hundreds of other cases are under investigation. Almost all human cases have been in people working with infected dairy herds or chicken flocks.

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) had been working on human bird flu vaccines, but that work has been paused, Reid notes.

A vaccine for chickens has been developed in Europe, but has not been approved by the US Department of Agriculture.

Keepers of poultry in Westport should exercise care.

Fortunately, Reid says, the risk to humans from this outbreak is very low right now. However, he warns, “we are still learning about this year’s highly pathogenic variant, and it has shown the ability to mutate.”

The information on the Aspetuck Health District website is comprehensive. Among the key points:

1. Our food supply is safe. Food is safe because the United States has the strongest avian influenza surveillance system in the world. We actively look for the disease and educate the public and producers on the most appropriate practices to ensure health and safety, as well as provide compensation to affected producers to encourage disease reporting.
2. The risk to humans is low. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) considers the risk to people from HPAI H5 infections in wild birds, backyard flocks, and commercial poultry to be low.
3. U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and its partners, including DEEP and the CT Department of Agriculture, will continue to do everything they can to support states and producers. USDA is coordinating closely with state officials and other federal departments on rigorous surveillance, reporting, and control efforts.

To report a dead bird, click here.

Bird flu.

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