Avian flu detected in Bayou St. John and across the state, officials say

NEW ORLEANS (WVUE) - More than two dozen dead birds have appeared along the banks of Bayou St. John in New Orleans, sparking concerns over the presence of avian flu.

Brooke Brown says she has collected 26 dead birds over a recent six-day stretch from the lagoons of City Park and Bayou St. John. Mostly geese and ducks, she sent samples to the state.

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) says one of the birds tested positive for a strain of avian flu, adding to around 150 cases statewide.

“We have already had about 150 documented birds and many others that were not tested,” said Dr. Jim Lacour, with the LDWF.

This is the second year the H5N1 avian flu is being detected across Louisiana.

“They’re all across the state and, it sounds like a lot of birds, there’s not even a dent in the population of the water fowl,” said Dr. Lacour.

Avian flu can be transmitted to mammals, including humans, and other birds. It’s a special concern for those who raise poultry.

“This is extremely deadly to domestic poultry and there’s been a couple of workers in poultry houses that contracted the virus, but it was not deadly to them,” said Lacour.

The CDC says that only four human avian flu infections have ever been reported in the U.S., but the World Health Organization (WHO) reports 138 fatal human cases over the last 20 years in the Western Pacific regions of Southeast Asia.

“Do not handle any carcasses or sick animals if you don’t have to,” said Lacour.

Brown tries to remove as many dead birds as she can to reduce the risk of transmission to other birds or mammals.

‘It’s not just the birds, I want to protect everything that eats carcasses and protect the crows. But I can’t do it all this is too big for me,” said Brown. “There doesn’t seem to be a system in place for helping the dying geese or removing the bodies.”

Though the risk of human transmission is low, it is possible and the state urges residents to be careful.

“If they are in your yard, avoid touching them if you could. Wear an N-95 respirator and put on rubber gloves and put it in a garbage bag, double bag it, and put it in the trash,” said Lacour.

Cats and dogs could become infected if they eat sick or dead birds and Brown would like to see a network set up to try and deal with them.

For now, the state says avoid contact and use protective gear if you decide to remove a dead bird

“We’re on top of it. We’re monitoring it. There is no vaccine or treatment, so we have to let it run itself out,” said Lacour.

State wildlife officials attributes the avian flu spread to stagnant waterways due to recent lack of rain. They believe recent rains might help mitigate the situation and reduce the number of dead birds.

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