H5N1 Resources

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are currently monitoring animal and human cases of H5N1 (bird flu). While the current public health risk is low, the CDC is watching the situation carefully and working with states to monitor people with animal exposures.
As of January 15, 2025, there have been 67 confirmed total reported human cases in the United States with 1 associated H5N1 Bird Flu death in the United States. No human cases have yet been reported in New Jersey.

For current data please visit the CDC H5 Bird Flu: Current Situation page.
What is bird flu?
- Bird flu is a disease caused by avian influenza A viruses that usually spreads between birds
How does it spread?
- If you touch something contaminated with virus and touch your eyes, nose, or mouth
- If a liquid containing live virus splashes into your eyes, nose, or mouth (for example, raw cow’s milk from an infected cow)
- If you eat, drink, or inhale droplets contaminated with live virus
- If you handle sick or dead animals infected with virus

What are the signs & symptoms of bird flu?
Mild symptoms
- Eye redness and irritation
- Mild fever (100ºF [37.8ºC] or greater) or feeling feverish
- Cough
- Sore throat
- Runny of stuffy nose
- Muscle or body aches
- Headaches
- Fatigue
Moderate to Severe disease
- High fever
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Altered consciousness
- Seizures
Who is at increased risk of being exposed?
- Poultry, dairy, or other livestock farmers and workers
- Backyard bird flock owners
- Veterinarians and veterinary staff
- Animal health responders
- Public health responders
- Dairy laboratory workers
- Food processing workers handling raw milk and other confirmed or potentially contaminated materials
- Slaughterhouse workers performing certain tasks on lactating dairy cattle including:
→ Unloading or handling live lactating dairy cattle for slaughter, including working in holding pens and tasks involved with ante-mortem inspection
→ Post-mortem processes including the post-mortem inspection, handling, and transporting of viscera
→ Removing and transporting udders from dairy cattle for further processing or rendering - Zoo or other wild animal facility workers, such as:
→ Sanctuary workers
→ Aquarium workers
→ Wild animal rehabilitation center workers - Hunters
How can you prevent getting infected?
- Avoid direct contact with sick or dead wild birds, poultry, and other animals.
- Do not touch surfaces or materials (e.g., animal litter or bedding material) contaminated with saliva, mucous, or animal feces from birds or other animals with confirmed or suspected avian influenza A virus infection.
- Do not touch of consume raw milk or raw milk products, especially from animals with confirmed or suspected avian influenza A virus infection.
- Cook poultry, eggs, and beef to a safe internal temperature to kill bacteria and viruses.
- If you must have direct/close contact with sick or dead wild birds, poultry or other animals, including dairy cows, wear recommended PPE listed below:

What can you do?
- You should avoid unprotected exposures to sick or dead animals including wild birds, poultry, other domesticated animals.
- If you encounter sick or dead wild birdswhile at work or at home, you should report the finding(s) to:
→NJDEP Fish & Wildlife hotline at 1-877-WARN-DEP (1-877-927-6337)
- If you encounter sick or unexplained deaths in domestic poultry, or suspected cases of H5N1 in livestock, you should immediately report the finding(s) to:
→NJDA, Division of Animal Health at 609-671-6400 or
Resources for People Working with Animals
- CDC Interim Guidance for Employers to Reduce Exposure to Avian Influenza A Viruses for People Working with Animals
- Information for Workers Exposed to H5N1 Bird Flu
- How H5 Bird Flu Could Spread on a Dairy Farm
Resources for Healthcare Providers
- CDC Health Advisory– 1/16/25
- CDC Health Advisory– 4/5/24
Other Resources
- NJDOH H5N1 Information
- What To Do If You Feel Sick
- Educational videos on H5N1
- CDC 2020-2024 Highlights in the History of Avian Influenza (Bird Flu) Timeline
- Downloadable resources (available in multiple languages)