Virginians at low risk of being exposed to bird flu, expert says

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (WVIR) - One UVA Health expert says despite bird flu cases popping up in Virginia the risk factor for most people living here remains low.

The H5N1 virus has been detected in birds in the Richmond Metro Zoo, eastern shore of Virginia, and in poultry in Maryland and Delaware.

Even still there have been zero cases of it spreading from human-to-human so far in the state.

“We’ve known for a long time H5N1 influenza in its current strain is kind of widely distributed in bird populations. So, the fact that it’s been detected in some poultry operations here in Virginia is, I think, one of the things you’d expect sooner or later,“ UVA Health infectious disease expert Doctor Patrick Jackson said.

Those at a greater risk would be anyone who works in an agricultural line of work or directly with cattle or chickens.

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