Black turkey vultures recovered in New Braunfels’ popular Landa Park have preliminarily tested positive for avian influenza A virus (H5N1) and Comal County Public Health is asking health care providers to evaluate patients presenting with flu-like symptoms for recent exposure to potentially affected animals.
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) reports “multiple positive detections” in the park.
Residents are strongly advised to avoid contact with sick or dead birds, and to report any unusual wildlife behavior to local authorities. Health care providers should report any cases of novel influenza to Comal County Public Health at 830-221-1150.
Human-to-human transmission of avian influenza is extremely rare and the risk to the public is considered low.
“Authorities will continue to monitor the situation closely and will provide updates as new information becomes available,” Comal County Public Information Officer Cary Zayas said in a statement issued today.
Doug Loveday, press officer with Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) said the public should avoid contact between pets and wild birds.
If a pet is in contact with a sick or dead bird it can become infected with the virus. For more information about signs and symptoms in cats and dogs from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) click here.
To date, H5N1 has been identified in wild birds, commercial poultry, dairy cattle and various mammals around Texas.
Widespread detections of bird flu have occurred across Texas as wild birds visit their wintering grounds. Most recent finding are in Amarillo, El Paso, Galveston, Harris, Lubbock, Potter, Travis and Wharton counties.
TPWD said H5N1, which it calls Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), is a highly contagious zoonotic virus that transmits easily among wild and domestic birds.
HPAI can also transmit to mammals including wild mammals and domestic cats. It can spread directly between animals and indirectly through environmental contamination.
The public can assist in interrupting HPAI transmission by limiting all unnecessary contact with wild birds, including the discontinuation of feeding and other activities that cause waterfowl to congregate in parks, the state agency advises on its website.
Taking down all bird feeders and bird baths is recommended, as these allow birds to congregate, increasing the chance of disease exposure if present.
People who choose to leave bird feeders and bird baths out are asked to clean them several times each week with a 10% bleach solution and watch for signs of disease. Do not handle any sick or dead wildlife or allow any pets to consume any wild carcasses.
MyCanyonLake.com has reached out to Texas Department of State Health Services for guidance for pet owners.
Contact Information for Reporting Sick or Dead Animals
Comal County Animal Control
Phone: 830-608-2016
City of New Braunfels Animal Control
Phone: 830-608-2183
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
Senior Wildlife Biologist – Blake Hendon
Email: Blake.Hendon@tpwd.texas.gov
Phone: (830) 353-7484
For Reporting Sick or Dead Poultry or Livestock:
Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC)
Phone: 1-800-550-8242
