Avian flu behind death of birds in Beaufort County, DHEC says. What you should know.
Bird deaths as a result of avian flu in a Beaufort County domestic flock caught the attention of the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control and other agencies as the country approaches record numbers in reported outbreaks, according to a news release.
The Beaufort County birds had tested positive for the H5 2.3.4.4 virus strain of the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), drawing officials from the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC), South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and Clemson Livestock Poultry Health to the county.
The largest reported avian flu outbreak in the U.S. was in 2015. At that time, 50.5 million birds were infected in 21 states. Today, the states affected are more than double those in 2015 and the number of birds infected is nearing the amount in 2015.
To contain the virus, and prevent further spread, officials were scheduled to “reduce the number of birds” in the area Saturday. The area will be cleaned and disinfected this week. The disease can be transmitted via feathers, fecal matter and surrounding dirt of infected birds though risk of pets and people contracting the virus is low, officials said in the release.
There is no impact on domestic poultry at this time. The types of birds the virus can infect include turkeys, pheasants, chicken, quail, ducks, geese and guinea fowl. Symptoms in birds include sudden death, a decrease in appetite and egg production, low energy and swelling.
To reduce the risk of infection, which the department says poses a low risk to the public, steer clear from sick of dead birds. If someone has had contact with a dead bird and experiences fevers, cough, fatigue and or body aches, they should get medical attention immediately. DHEC recommends people monitor their symptoms for 10 days after the last exposure to a bird with HPAI and report any potential exposures to their local health departments.
This story was originally published November 6, 2022 at 9:13 AM.
