Bird flu outbreak: Experts warn to stop filling backyard bird feeders - NJ.com

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You might want to stop filling your bird feeders.

Experts warn that an outbreak of the avian influenza (HPAI) strain H5N1 is spreading among wild birds.

And they say bird feeders and baths that encourage birds to congregate in your backyard allow the virus to spread.

The risk of people catching the bird flu is low, with no cases reported in humans.

However, the agency advises to avoid direct contact with dead or live wild birds and dead or ill domestic birds.

“Not only will this action help to protect those beautiful feathered creatures that visit your yard, but will also help all wild bird species that are already having it hard this spring because of HPAI,” Dr. Victoria Hall with the Raptor Center at the University of Minnesota says.

Hall added that all bird species are susceptible to bird flu, but they exhibit signs of illness and carry the disease in different ways.

Many infected birds shed the flu through feces and respiratory secretions, and it usually survives in cool, damp environments.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says 28.5 million bird flu cases have been reported in backyard and commercial poultry as of April 19 and another 631 among wild birds in 31 states.

These include reports that the virus has plagued 21 birds in Cape May County.

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Katherine Rodriguez can be reached at krodriguez@njadvancemedia.com. Have a tip? Tell us at nj.com/tips.

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