RIDEM confirms bird flu in domestic flock

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management said the H5N1 strain of avian influenza was detected in a noncommercial flock in southern Washington County.

RIDEM said that it euthanized 40 birds in order to “minimize their suffering from the infection and prevent the spread of the disease to other birds.”

The department added that the disease was last detected in a noncommercial backyard flock in 2022, and that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) considers the public health risk for H5N1 to be low.

“While the public health risk of H5N1 remains low, the Rhode Island Department of Health has been coordinating closely with DEM for months on preparedness measures and has been communicating regularly with the healthcare professional community,” Director of Health Jerry Larkin, MD said. “Some basic prevention measures, such as avoiding contact with sick and dead animals, can help people stay healthy and safe.”

RIDEM said that best way to prevent avian influenza in humans is for people to avoid exposure and avoid direct contact with birds.

More information on H5N1 can be found here.