The United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) and the New Jersey Department of Agriculture’s (NJDA) Division of Animal Health have confirmed a new Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) poultry case in an Essex County live bird market. The disease response is being coordinated between State and Federal partners.

The risk of HPAI to the general public remains low and no live poultry were sold to the public that may have been infected. HPAI is highly contagious and often fatal in domestic poultry species.

The live bird market case identified through test samples from domestic poultry at the market and the premises were submitted and tested at the New Jersey Animal Health Diagnostic Laboratory as part of routine surveillance. Samples were collected during inspections on May 6. Testing at the National Veterinary Services Laboratory confirmed the HPAI case. Depopulation of nearly 1,400 birds occurred at the market.

State and Federal partners are taking prompt action to prevent the spread of disease. The live bird market was quarantined and underwent depopulation of existing live birds, and a thorough cleaning/disinfecting was conducted. After the cleaning and disinfection, the market will remain temporarily closed for a prescribed period before the quarantine is lifted and they are restocked.

“Throughout the current HPAI outbreak, live bird market operators have been fully compliant with our requests and have taken the necessary steps in efforts to prevent the spread of avian influenza in their businesses,” NJDA Assistant Secretary Joe Atchison said.

Poultry owners, industry workers, and the general public are reminded to take precautionary measures to ensure the maintenance of a healthy flock.

Individuals working in the markets are being assessed for exposures and will be monitored for symptoms by the local health department and New Jersey Department of Health. If any of the exposed individuals develop compatible symptoms, they will be evaluated for HPAI immediately.

Poultry owners, industry workers, and the general public are reminded to take precautionary measures to ensure the maintenance of a healthy flock.

HPAI poses a low risk to the general public and human infections have most often occurred after close or lengthy unprotected contact (such as not wearing gloves, respiratory protection, or eye protections) with infected birds or dairy cattle, or with places that the infected birds or animals have touched. No instances of sustained human-to-human transmission have been observed. Properly cooked poultry and eggs to at least 165 degrees Fahrenheit are also considered safe to eat.

Individuals who have had close, unprotected contact with infected birds should monitor themselves for symptoms for 10 days following their last exposure. Symptoms may include fever, respiratory signs (cough, sore throat, difficulty breathing) eye redness or irritation, headaches, muscle or body aches, and diarrhea. If symptoms develop, individuals should seek healthcare and notify their healthcare provider of the potential exposure.

HPAI is highly contagious and often fatal in domestic poultry species. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the recent HPAI detections in birds do not present an immediate public health concern.