Recently released geese waddle toward the Muddy River after being released into the Brookline park on Jan. 3, 2025, following an oil spill in the area last month.
While avian influenza is extremely fatal to birds, Rhode Island health officials say the presence of the virus in the state doesn’t pose a significant public health risk.
Alexi Cohan/GBH News

Avian Flu has Been Detected in Rhode Island. Here’s What You Need to Know

While avian influenza is extremely fatal to birds, Rhode Island health officials say the presence of the virus in the state doesn’t pose a significant public health risk

While avian influenza is extremely fatal to birds, Rhode Island health officials say the presence of the virus in the state doesn’t pose a significant public health risk

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Recently released geese waddle toward the Muddy River after being released into the Brookline park on Jan. 3, 2025, following an oil spill in the area last month.
While avian influenza is extremely fatal to birds, Rhode Island health officials say the presence of the virus in the state doesn’t pose a significant public health risk.
Alexi Cohan/GBH News
Avian Flu has Been Detected in Rhode Island. Here’s What You Need to Know
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Last month, a flock of birds in southern Rhode Island was euthanized after they were found to be infected with H5N1 avian influenza. While the threat to public health is considered to be low, Dr. Suzanne Bornschein, medical director and state epidemiologist at the Rhode Island Department of Health, says you should take some necessary precautions to protect yourself and your pets.

Interview highlights:

How common is it for humans to be infected by avian flu?

Suzanne Bornschein: There’s still a lot we don’t know, but one thing we know for sure: No human to human spread at this time. So the public health risk for the general public is low. But if you’re somebody that works in a dairy farm or you work with an infected poultry flock, that would put you at higher risk. And then, of course, there’s always the hunters.

This interview was conducted by The Public’s Radio. You can read the entire interview here.

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