the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Hackensack NJ, amid growing concerns over avian influenza (H5N1), live bird markets in New York City and surrounding counties have been temporarily shut down following the detection of the virus.
With parallels to the early days of COVID-19, health experts are closely monitoring the spread of bird flu among wildlife and potential risks to humans.
Hackensack Meridian Health Leads Bird Flu Testing Efforts
Researchers at Hackensack Meridian Health’s (HMH) Center for Discovery and Innovation (CDI) are at the forefront of efforts to track and test for the virus. Using advanced sequencing technology, they are testing patients who present flu-like symptoms but do not test positive for seasonal flu strains.
This method helps scientists identify emerging mutations and better understand the transmission patterns of avian influenza.
Proven Expertise in Pandemic Response
HMH played a crucial role in the COVID-19 pandemic, developing a rapid test that delivered results in just two hours—far ahead of the national testing delays at the time. Now, their expertise is being applied to bird flu tracking and mitigation.
How Dangerous is Bird Flu?
Avian influenza is widespread in wild birds worldwide and has led to outbreaks in poultry and dairy cows in the U.S. While human infections are rare, cases have been reported, primarily among individuals who had direct contact with infected animals.
CDC: Low Risk to Humans
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reassures that the risk of bird flu to the general public remains low. The virus is not easily transmitted from person to person, and properly cooked poultry and eggs are safe to eat.
How to Protect Yourself
While the risk remains minimal, it’s always wise to take preventative measures:
✅ Handle Raw Poultry Safely
- Wash hands with soap and water after handling raw poultry or eggs.
- Clean cutting boards, utensils, and countertops with hot, soapy water.
✅ Cook Poultry & Eggs Thoroughly
- Ensure poultry reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- Cook eggs until both the yolk and white are firm (avoid runny eggs or raw cookie dough).
✅ Avoid Contact with Wild Birds
- Do not touch or feed wild birds, especially those that appear sick or dead.
- Keep pets away from wild birds.
- Report sick or dead birds to local health or wildlife agencies.
✅ Stay Informed
- Monitor updates from CDC, USDA, and state health departments to stay informed on any developments.
What’s Next?
With NYC bird markets closed and testing underway, experts continue to track the virus’s spread. While bird flu remains a concern for wildlife and the agricultural industry, everyday precautions can help keep the public safe.
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Why not just keep them in their homes for two weeks to stop the spread?
You be surprised how many people don’t clean their chicken before cooking they just take it out of the package and throw it in the oven, one of the dirtiest animals is a chicken. My parents always soak the chicken in cold water with salt before cooking it just like restaurants do. If they know how to handle the proper food preparing and of course keep your hands and tools, kitchen supplies, nice and clean.
If you thought your eggs were expensive before, just wait until they start eradicating whole farms worth of chickens to protect you against nothing. But don’t worry, there will be a new mRNA vaccine for both you and the surviving chickens.
Not with RFK Jr in charge.
That’s what you think.
The early bird catches the worm, and so does RFK Jr.