Bird flu detected in wastewater in multiple metro Phoenix cities
Dec 30, 2024, 12:26 PM
PHOENIX — Bird flu has been detected in wastewater in multiple metro Phoenix cities, county health officials confirmed Monday.
Routine wastewater surveillance in Phoenix, Tempe and Surprise — the three cities in the county where monitoring occurs — confirmed the presence of avian influenza, according to a press release from the Maricopa County Department of Public Health (MCDPH).
The influenza subtype, which includes bird flu as H5N1, has been detected in multiple locations in the Valley in the past couple of months.
What does presence of bird flu in wastewater mean?
MCDPH said it’s not currently possible to nail down a precise location for detection, but the virus’ presence does indicate that it is more prevalent in the community than previously known.
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Since November, avian influenza been reported at a poultry farm in Pinal County, a backyard flock in Maricopa County, in several animals at the Wildlife World Zoo in Litchfield Park and in dead geese at a Scottsdale park.
Human cases of the virus have occurred stemming from just one outbreak — the poultry farm in Pinal County. Both of the infected people in that outbreak reported mild symptoms, received treatment and have since recovered.
Health officials said the concern for humans remains minimal.
“Wastewater monitoring is one of multiple tools we have to proactively monitor for avian flu in our community,” Nick Staab, assistant medical director at MCDPH, said in the release. “Given that no human cases have been identified in Maricopa County through our other disease detection methods and there is no recent documented spread of H5N1 influenza from human to human, the overall risk of avian flu to people remains low.”
What to do if bird flu is suspected
Anyone who owns poultry or is around wild birds should be on the lookout.
Consuming raw/unpasteurized dairy products is also discouraged, although there has been no evidence of avian influenza in cattle in Arizona.
Those who see signs of illness in their poultry should report it immediately to United States Department of Agriculture at 1-866-536-7593.
Anyone who comes across sick or dead wild birds should contact the Arizona Game and Fish Department at 623-236-7201.
