The public risk of getting Avian Influenza Virus is still low.
Known also as Influenza A subtype H5N1, the virus—which some call informally bird flu—has been identified in a small number of people across the country.
But infections in humans remain rare, and there have been no human cases reported in New England.
Tracking the infections among humans
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says that as of February 14, 68 total human infections had been reported across the entire United States.
These human cases were mostly mild respiratory illnesses or cases of conjunctivitis due to direct eye contact, but one person has died from their illness.
There is so far no evidence of human-to-human transmission, but you can still take measures to protect yourself, especially if you have backyard poultry.
The bigger impact has been on animals
H5N1 avian influenza outbreaks have occurred among commercial and backyard poultry and dairy cattle across the United States.
While there has been some detection in domestic or backyard poultry flocks in northern New England, there has been no detection within commercial poultry or dairy cattle in our region.
There are now two strains
The USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service National Veterinary Services Laboratories reported in early February 2025 that a second strain of H5N1 avian influenza called D1.1 was introduced into cattle in Nevada. This strain has been identified in 15 people across five states in the past year, but all were related to poultry exposure.
The remainder of the 68 confirmed human cases of H5N1 in the U.S. in the past year have been from the originally identified B3.13 strain.
The D1.1 strain has been linked to two deaths: a death in Louisiana and a second death in British Columbia. The introduction of this strain into cattle is concerning because of the potential for transmission among a different population of animals, not just poultry.
Humans are unlikely to spread the virus
You are still unlikely to catch either strain of the virus from another human, but you could catch either strain from an infected animal.
Among those in the country who have been diagnosed with the virus, the leading presenting symptom has been conjunctivitis. In some cases, conjunctivitis was the only symptom present.
Dartmouth Health is monitoring the virus
We are monitoring the virus closely. Federal agencies like the CDC have recently made some changes in how they communicate information.
However, infection prevention and epidemiology experts across Dartmouth Health continue to communicate regularly with local and regional health departments to make sure that we are providing the most up-to-date information and guidance.
We can respond quickly and effectively to any health threats, using the latest evidence-based protocols and recommendations to keep both patients and staff safe.
General recommendations
To help reduce risks of human-to-human spread in healthcare facilities:
- You may wear a mask even if you don’t have symptoms in our buildings.
- If you have respiratory symptoms (cough, runny or stuffy nose, sore throat), we require masks
- Know that our healthcare providers are strongly encouraged to wear a mask for all patient care.
- Wear masks appropriately, covering your nose and mouth. Masks are not to be worn dangling from ears or around chins/necks.
Source: Prevention and Antiviral Treatment of Avian Influenza A Viruses in People | Bird Flu | CDC
How to protect yourself from animal-to-human transmission
As a general precaution, people should try to avoid direct contact with sick or dead wild birds, poultry, and other animals and observe them only from a distance. Know, too, that wild birds can be infected even if they don't look sick.
If you must have direct/close contact with sick or dead wild birds, poultry, or other animals:
- Wear recommended personal protective equipment (PPE), including disposable gloves, safety goggles, an N95 respirator, coveralls, and rubber boots.
- Do not touch surfaces or materials contaminated with saliva, mucous, or animal feces from wild or domestic birds or other animals with confirmed or suspected avian bird influenza A virus infection.
- Do not touch or consume raw milk or raw milk products, especially from animals with confirmed or suspected avian influenza A virus infection.
Source: Prevention and Antiviral Treatment of Avian Influenza A Viruses in People | Bird Flu | CDC
Recommendations if you own backyard poultry
Avoid attracting wild birds to your residence.
- Cover or enclose any outdoor feeding areas for poultry.
- Promptly clean up any feed spills.
- Avoid visiting any ponds or streams, especially with pets.
- Consider reducing large puddles and standing water, which may be a nice resting place for migratory birds.
If you hunt, take a family outing to a river or lake, or even golf (ponds and waterfowl), do not go into your chicken coop for at least 72 hours.
Limit or halt any travel with your birds to sales, shows and swaps.
- Ensure you have clean hands, clothes and footwear before handling your birds if you do attend any poultry events.
- Do not allow others to handle your birds.
Limit who visits your birds at home. If someone must visit your birds:
- Ask them about what other bird contact they have recently had.
- Ask them to wash their hands and wear clean clothes and footwear.
Only give your chickens tap water. Most backyard breeders are not going to collect water from a pond, but if you do, please stop. Ponds attract waterfowl, and the water is more likely to become infected with the flu virus.