By Anne Levin

Avian influenza, better known as bird flu, has shown up in Princeton. The positive test of a deceased bald eagle, found near Prospect Avenue and Lake Carnegie in December 2024, was announced by the municipality on February 28.

According to the press release issued that day, there are no known exposures to humans or pets in Princeton. But the situation is being monitored.

“The Princeton Health Department is urging residents and poultry owners to take precautions following a recent outbreak of H5N1, or avian influenza,” reads the release. “H5N1 is a highly contagious airborne respiratory virus that spreads easily among birds through nasal and eye secretions, and manure. The New Jersey Department of Health continues to respond to the ongoing outbreak of the virus across the state.”

New Jersey cases reported in recent weeks include a feral cat in an unspecified location in Hunterdon County, Canada geese in Burlington and Monmouth counties, and dead geese found at the millpond and surrounding parks in Allentown borough. The parks are closed until further notice.

The bald eagle in Princeton had been submitted for testing and was later identified as a presumptive positive case by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP). The eagle is undergoing confirmatory testing at a federal infectious disease surveillance laboratory.

Ducks, chickens, and turkey are the species most frequently affected by avian influenza, along with some wild birds such as geese, shorebirds, ducks, and raptors. Dogs and cats who encounter the affected birds can also be susceptible. While the transmission risk to humans is relatively low, the national Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that there have been several recent human cases among U.S dairy and poultry workers. The total number of confirmed cases in humans is 70.

The Princeton Health Department is asking residents to report deaths of wild or domestic birds, especially large groups of them, to the NJDEP hotline at (877) 927-6337.

“Those who work directly with poultry or are in close contact with dairy farms or poultry operations should follow biosecurity practices to protect their flocks and themselves,” the release reads.

The Princeton Health Department recommends staying informed by visiting nj.gov/H5N1. Avoid contact with wild birds, especially ducks and geese. Do not touch sick or dead wild or domestic birds. Report them to the NJDEP at (877) 927-6337. Also recommended is reporting dead or sick domestic birds or livestock to the New Jersey Department of Agriculture at (609) 671-6400 or by emailing state.veterinarian@ag.nj.gov.

“Only consume pasteurized milk, and cook poultry, eggs, and beef to the appropriate temperature per the USDA Safe Internal Temperature chart,” the recommendations continue. “Backyard poultry owners should keep birds indoors or in fully enclosed areas away from wild birds and their waste. Wash and sanitize hands before and after handling birds. Report any suspected avian flu to the Department of Agriculture immediately.”

Dogs and cats should be kept away from areas with lots of geese or their waste, and should not be fed raw meat, poultry, or unpasteurized milk. If a pet shows signs of illness, contact your veterinarian immediately to check for bird flu.