State Veterinarian Warns: ‘The Environment Can’t Be Sterilized’ Amid Bird Flu Outbreak in Rhode Island | ABC6 Insights

PROVIDENCE, R.I. — The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management has reported the presence of bird flu in a domestic flock. This news came during a briefing held on Friday evening.

State Veterinarian Scott Marshall explained that cases of bird flu often rise in late fall, early winter, and spring due to migrating birds. The USDA is keeping an eye on the virus’s genetic changes to see if it becomes resistant to treatments.

Marshall reminded everyone, “You can’t sterilize the environment.” He emphasized basic hygiene: wash your hands before eating. It’s good advice that is always applicable.

According to Marshall, the risk to humans is currently low. However, pet owners should be cautious. Domestic cats that eat raw poultry and dogs that encounter dead birds are at higher risk. Marshall noted that most cats that contract the virus do not survive. If you feed your pets poultry, ensure it is cooked properly to keep them safe.

Walking dogs is another area of concern. If dogs come across dead birds, they could get exposed to the virus. Marshall advises keeping dogs on a leash and avoiding contact with dead wildlife during walks.

In an effort to manage the situation, RIDEM euthanized 40 birds from an affected noncommercial flock to prevent further suffering and control the spread of the disease. The last reported case of bird flu in a backyard flock in Rhode Island was in 2022. The CDC continues to assess the public health risk of H5N1 as low.

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