Yale researchers stress the need for sharing public data as communities deal with bird flu outbreaks in their neighborhoods, stores, and zoos.
YuLin Zhen, Photography Editor
Bird flu cases are becoming more common in Connecticut. They’ve been found not just in farms but also in backyards, grocery stores, and zoos, reflecting a nationwide trend in rising infections.
The strain causing concern is H5 Bird Flu, which mainly affects wild birds. It can spread to poultry and even dairy cattle through contact with infected birds or their droppings.
Experts believe that bird flu is not a significant threat to humans at this time. Stephanie Perniciaro, a researcher in epidemiology, noted, “Currently, bird flu is not a major risk unless you work in areas where contact with infected animals happens often.” However, she stresses the importance of monitoring the situation closely.
Since 2024, there have been 67 confirmed human cases in the U.S., including one death. Notably, there has been no evidence of the virus spreading from person to person. Most human infections occur after prolonged contact with infected birds or contaminated surfaces.
In Connecticut, outbreaks have hit both commercial and backyard chicken flocks. The Beardsley Zoo in Bridgeport reported a bird flu case following the discovery of a dead goose on its property. The zoo quickly implemented protective measures, limiting access to birds and euthanizing those that might have been exposed. Birds not directly affected were quarantined and tested.
Rowena White from Beardsley Zoo confirmed, “Initial tests for nearby birds came back negative for HPAI, and they are being carefully monitored.”
Furthermore, the Connecticut Department of Agriculture has acknowledged an outbreak in a backyard flock in New Haven County.
Backyard poultry owners are urged to increase safety measures, such as reducing contact between their birds and wild birds. New Haven resident Steve Machesney said, “We used to let our chickens roam while we worked outside, but we don’t do that anymore to keep them safe.”
Concerns about bird flu have been compounded by challenges in health communication since the Trump administration took office. There were significant disruptions in data sharing from the Centers for Disease Control, impacting the country’s response mechanisms.
Perniciaro highlighted, “Without proper data, we struggle to understand our risks, which hampers our response efforts.”
The CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, a key source of public health information, paused for three weeks due to communication halt. It resumed on February 6. Perniciaro noted, “The lack of available public data not only affects health at a community level but also complicates doctors’ efforts to treat patients.”
As of early February, bird flu has affected over 150 million poultry across the nation.
