Philadelphia reports first suspected case of bird flu found in ill snow goose
A Canada goose breaks through ice at Watermead Country Park in Leicester. Weather warnings for snow and ice are in force across much of the UK after severe flooding and snow caused travel disruption and school closures. Picture date: Wednesday Januar
PHILADELPHIA - Health officials in Philadelphia announced on Wednesday the city's suspected case of bird flu found after testing an ill snow goose.
The discovery comes amid an outbreak of bird flu, also known as avian influenza, across the United States that has has sickened over 60 people.
Officials say the threat to Philadelphia from bird flu and other forms of avian influenza remains low.
Residents and visitors are reminded to stay away from wild birds and report any suspicious behavior being displayed by wildlife to the city's game commission.
What we know:
Health officials say an ill snow goose that later tested positive for avian influenza A, or bird flu, was found near the 1200 block of North 59th Street on Jan. 11.
"The threat to Philadelphia from H5N1 remains low, but we are issuing this alert out of an abundance of caution," Health Commissioner Dr. Palak Ravel-Nelson said.
Preliminary in-state testing found the ill goose to be positive for a "highly pathogenic avian influenza."
"We continue to monitor the situation both here in Philadelphia and across the country," Dr. Ravel-Nelson said.
The backstory:
Health officials say over 60 people have been sickened by H5N1 across the country in recent months, and one person has died.
The illness has infected over 1,000 dairy herds, and there were two snow geese deaths reported in the Lehigh Valley and farms in Delaware.
What you can do:
Health officials say residents should stay away from wild birds and report sick or dead birds to the Pennsylvania Game Commission.
They called particular attention to staying away from waterfowl – like geese and ducks – who are "common carriers of bird flu."
Anyone who may have had direct contact with the sick snow goose on or around Jan. 11 should call the Philadelphia Department of Public Health.