Cases of highly-pathogenic Avian Influenza have been identified in 10 Kentucky counties, including Wayne County.
Avian Influenza, commonly knows as bird flu, is an infectious disease caused by a group of influenza -A- viruses. These viruses naturally occur in wild waterfowl and shorebirds, but they infect other wild and domestic bird species, as well as mammals, including humans.
Infected birds spread influenza through saliva, mucus, and feces. Domestic birds can be exposed to the virus from the contaminated clothing, boots, and equipment, as well as from wild birds or their feces.
While the CDC says risk to human health posed by avian influenza is low, people can become infected with avian influenza if they inhale it, or if it gets into a person’s eyes, nose, or mouth.
Wayne County is the only county in the Lake Cumberland area where the disease has been detected.
If you see a bird that might be infected, report it to the Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife by calling 1-800-858-1549. Don’t touch injured, sick, or dead wild birds.