New Castle eAlerts

Message from the Town of New Castle, NY

Over the past few weeks, a number of dead birds have been found by residents on both public and private property in Westchester County.  While it is unknown if these birds had avian influenza, the Westchester County Department of Health has reported that avian influenza has previously been detected within the county.

At this time, the risk to the general public from bird flu remains low. The spread of avian influenza viruses from one infected person to a close contact is very rare, and when it has happened, it has not led to continued spread among people. 

Here are some reminders from the Westchester County Dept. of Health:
 Avoid contact with birds that appear sick or have died.
  • If you must have direct/close contact with wild birds, sick or dead poultry, or other animals, wear recommended personal protective equipment (PPE). Wild birds can be infected with avian influenza even if they don't look sick.
  • Do not touch surfaces or materials contaminated with saliva, mucous, or feces from wild or domestic birds or other animals with confirmed or suspected avian influenza infection.
  • Take precautions to protect yourself during and after spending time in areas with geese and other wild bird droppings.
  • Do not drink raw milk or consume unpasteurized dairy products like cheese, yogurt and ice cream.
Anyone finding a dead goose or bird in a town park or other town-ow.ned property should contact the Department of Public Works at 914-238-3968 to have it removed. If you find a dead bird on your property, it should be disposed of in accordance with New York State DEC guidance. Proper precautions include wearing disposable gloves, a mask, and eye protection. Avoid direct contact with the animal and its fluids; keep children and pets away, use a shovel, and wash hands and clothing immediately after with soap and hot water. Carcasses should be triple-bagged in garbage or contractor bags and placed in an outdoor trash can. Dead birds found on private property can be reported to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) via the NYSDEC Avian Influenza Reporting Form.

For the latest on bird flu in the U.S., including regularly updated case counts, visit the CDC’s H5 Bird Flu: Current Situation page.

For more information on bird flu, please visit the various resources below:
Westchester County Department of Health
Centers for Disease Control
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
New York State Department of Health
US Dept. of Agriculture
American Veterinary Medical Association
 
Past Alerts