The recent bird flu outbreak in the United States is not just a concern for hunters, farmers, and poultry producers. City dwellers, especially those with pets, also need to be vigilant, according to scientists. The New York City Virus Hunters (NYCVH) Program has conducted a community science project that reveals a small number of birds flying through the city have been infected with a highly contagious strain of avian influenza. Between 2022 and 2023, volunteers collected 1,927 bird poop samples from various urban parks and green spaces across New York City, as well as from animal rehabilitation centers. Of these samples, six birds tested positive for the virus, including a red-tailed hawk, three Canada geese, a peregrine falcon, and a chicken.
While the presence of bird flu in New York City poses a low risk to humans and pets, it is not entirely risk-free. According to Christine Marizzi, a microbiologist at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, it is wise to remain alert and avoid close contact with wildlife. This caution should extend to pets as well, as preventing them from interacting closely with wildlife is crucial to minimize the risk of infection. The dense population of humans and pets in urban areas like New York City creates an extensive urban animal-human interface that may facilitate the spread of infectious diseases.
While no human cases of avian flu have been reported in New York City so far, there have been instances elsewhere of transmission from animals to humans. In Texas, a farm worker recently fell ill from bird flu after likely contracting it from a sick cow, marking a rare case of mammal-to-human transmission of avian influenza. The World Health Organization has documented only a few cases of humans contracting the flu from birds globally since the current outbreak began in 2020, with the Texas case being the only instance of mammal transmission. However, the potential threat of mammal spillovers is being taken seriously by WHO, as the H5N1 virus can be deadly if it infects humans.
The bird flu outbreak has not been limited to migrating birds in the US, with cases reported in various wildlife species such as wild foxes, raccoons, possums, skunks, seals, leopards, bears, mountain lions, and bobcats. Even domestic pets like cats and dogs have been affected, as well as farm animals like cattle and goats. WHO officials describe the current avian flu outbreak as a “global zoonotic animal pandemic”. In one tragic incident on a dairy farm, a dozen cats died from consuming bird flu-contaminated cow milk. Understanding the circulation of influenza and avian viruses in urban areas like New York City is crucial for identifying potential threats to both birds and humans.
The spread of avian influenza in urban environments like New York City presents a significant concern for residents, both human and animal. Staying informed, practicing caution around wildlife, and preventing close interactions with potentially infected birds are essential steps in mitigating the risk of transmission. By taking these precautions, individuals can contribute to the containment and prevention of avian influenza outbreaks in urban settings.
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