New Yorkers, take note: If you come across a bird or animal that is sick, dead or acting strangely, keep yourself and your pets at a safe distance. The bird flu virus, H5N1, is present in at least a small portion of New York’s birds, according to a new study.
The finding is not surprising given that H5N1 has now been shown to affect migratory birds, a wide range of wild animals, poultry and, since last month, dairy cows. However, its discovery in the city is an unpleasant reminder that urban spaces are not exempt.
People generally associate zoonotic diseases with rural areas, farms or the wilderness, said Florian Krammer, an influenza specialist at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York, who led the study, which was published online last week. .
But New York has lots of green spaces and bodies of water used by migratory and local birds, he said: “There’s an extensive interface between wildlife and people in cities.”
“There’s no reason to panic, but it’s good to know,” he added.
Last week, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warned healthcare providers to watch for signs of bird flu infection. So far, only two Americans have been reported as infected with H5N1, one in 2022 and the other earlier this month.
The virus has caused large outbreaks of mink and foxes, and wiped out thousands of marine mammals, especially in South America. Scientists have tracked the virus along migratory routes and stopovers, among wild birds in rural areas and commercial poultry operations, and, more recently, among cattle on dairy farms.
But until now, the virus “is everywhere,” said Seema Lakdawala, a virologist at Emory University. “I’d be surprised if in any urban environment you went to, you didn’t find some small percentage of H5.”
“This is an important lesson for all major cities,” he added.
Migratory birds and other species live in urban green spaces and wetlands, where they may encounter scavengers such as squirrels, pets, and even people. Cats and dogs are susceptible to the bird flu virus and can get it from infected birds, their droppings or contaminated water.
“People don’t think there’s a lot of wildlife in New York, but we’re actually pretty rich,” said Rita McMahon, director and co-founder of the nonprofit Wild Bird Fund, a wildlife rehabilitation center in New York.
The new study is a product of the New York City Virus Hunters initiative, a collaboration between the rehabilitation center, Mount Sinai scientists, community members and a science outreach organization. It includes high school students who are members of minority groups that are underrepresented in science.
From January 2022 to November 2023, the researchers collected samples from bird species ranging from mallards and geese to shorebirds and raptors. Some of the birds were already dead. others developed neurological symptoms and were euthanized.
Among the roughly 1,900 samples from the animals, they found versions of H5N1 in six, in four species: Canadian geese in the Bronx and Queens; a red-tailed hawk near a major highway in Queens. a Canadian goose and a peregrine falcon in Brooklyn. and an Upper Manhattan chicken.
The researchers weren’t surprised to find the virus in Canadian geese and raptors, but “it was somewhat unexpected to get samples from a chicken found in Marcus Garvey Park,” they wrote.
The team has found two more infected birds since the study ended. “My expectation is that as we keep looking, we will find more,” Dr. Kramer said. The low number of infected birds found so far may be the result of the test the researchers used, which does not detect small amounts of the virus, he said.
Dr. Lakdawala praised the citizen science aspect of the project as a way to collect more samples than would be possible from formal surveillance efforts alone, while also educating the public about safe sample handling.
“The USDA can’t do everything, the CDC can’t do everything,” she said, referring to the federal agencies that typically conduct such surveillance. “We really need to have wider nets so we can get a better picture of what’s going on and what the viruses are.”
At the same time, he said, residents should be responsible and not touch a dead bird. The New York City Health Department advises residents to report birds and animals that are sick, dead or acting strangely by calling 311.
Each year, about 9,000 people bring injured wildlife—from songbirds and doves to squirrels and opossums—to the Wild Bird Fund’s rehab center. Some people are in tears. Others “come to kiss a sick goose, thinking it will help,” Ms McMahon said.
But now, New Yorkers should be even more cautious when they see an injured or sick bird or animal, he said.
“It doesn’t mean they can’t salvage it and bring it to us,” Ms McMahon said. But people should wear gloves, wrap the animal and take other precautions.
And “no kisses,” she said. “Direct physical affection is not an advantage to the animal.”
