New Yorkers have been warned by health experts to stay away from wildlife following the discovery of several cases of bird flu in Marcus Garvey Park in Manhattan. Geese, a peregrine falcon, a red-tailed hawk, and a chicken were found to have tested positive for the virus. Philip Meade, a postdoctoral fellow at Icahn School of Medicine, emphasized the need for people to limit their contact with wildlife and to avoid running up to Canada geese. He also advised New Yorkers to wash their hands after any contact with bird droppings.
The virus has been discovered in 12 flocks of wild birds across seven states, with the majority of cases in Texas. Additionally, the disease has been found in domestic poultry. Fortunately, there have been no reported cases of bird flu spreading to people at this time, according to the CDC.
In the past two years, only two people in the United States have been infected with the disease, also known as H5N1. The patients, from Texas and Colorado, had been in close contact with farm animals, including chickens. It is crucial for New Yorkers to take necessary precautions and avoid wildlife in order to prevent the spread of bird flu.
