Six birds test positive for avian flu in Orange County
Orange County bird officials have confirmed the presence of avian influenza or bird flu among two species of birds at two locations in Orange County.
At least one duck and one goose test positive for H5N8 avian flu at the Bird World Nature Center near the corner of U.S. Highway 101 and San Juan Drive.
The two birds were part of a flock of more than 100 ducks housed on a site off San Juan Drive and on the corner of U.S. Highway 101 and San Juan Drive.
The other positive species is a Eurasian collie dog that tested positive for an H7N2 subtype of bird flu at a shelter near the corner of Main Street and Orangeburg Road.
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Bird experts say that the avian flu infection is similar in some ways to the highly pathogenic H5N1 virus that is killing poultry for markets across the country.
Infected birds are highly contagious. Health officials say that for that reason, they do not recommend that you bring a live bird to the grocery store.
It is recommended that your bird is vaccinated for both H5N1 and H7N2, and for the latest update on H5N1, see the Department of Public Health’s web site, avianflu.state.fl.us
“If you are going to buy from a veterinarian, they should also know how to prepare and treat your bird,” the public health department said. “If you go to the store, talk to the staff, they may be able to give you some more information about vaccination and how to properly prepare any bird.”
At a news conference announcing the avian influenza cases at the University of Florida, public health officials said they will continue to warn bird enthusiasts about the risks of the disease.
The birds that tested positive at the Nature Center were among a group of about a dozen captive ducks and their geese housed at the Nature Center. They are not the only ducks known to have been infected in