AUSTIN, Texas — Confirmed cases of avian influenza have been detected in ducks at a shopping center in Austin, according to public health officials.  

What You Need To Know

  • According to a news release from the City of Austin, some dead birds were found in north Austin earlier this month and were reported to the Texas Department of State Health Services

  • Austin Public Health (APH) issued a public health advisory on Wednesday saying that people are at the greatest risk of contracting the disease if they are in contact with a sick or infected dead animal, like wild birds, poultry or dairy cows

  • With the advisory, APH put out a list of tips to avoid exposure to the virus

  • So far, across the U.S., more than 60 people have contracted the virus, and the first death from H5N1 bird flu was reported in Louisiana earlier this week

According to a news release from the City of Austin, some dead birds were found in north Austin earlier this month and were reported to the Texas Department of State Health Services. 

“Tests performed by an area veterinary lab detected the virus,” the release said. 

A news release from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department later confirmed that multiple "domestic ducks" at the Arboretum Shopping Center ponds tested positive for avian influenza. A spokesperson for the department told Austin NBC affiliate KXAN that the agency doesn't consider park ducks to be wild animals.

Austin Public Health (APH) issued a public health advisory on Wednesday saying that people are at the greatest risk of contracting the disease if they are in contact with a sick or infected dead animal, like wild birds, poultry or dairy cows.  

“The best way to protect yourself and others from bird flu is to avoid sources of exposure. That means avoiding direct contact with wild birds and other animals,” the release said. 

With the advisory, APH put out a list of tips to avoid exposure to the virus:

  • Do not touch sick or dead animals or their droppings, and do not bring sick wild animals into your home. 
  • Keep your pets away from sick or dead animals and their feces. 
  • Avoid uncooked food products such as unpasteurized raw milk or cheeses.
  • If you experience illness after contact with sick or dead birds, please contact your health care provider for evaluation.  
  • Providers can also contact APH at 512-972-5555 for additional information on testing and treatment. 

Texans can report sick or dead birds to the Texas Animal Health Commission at 1-800-550-8242.

So far, across the U.S., more than 60 people have contracted the virus, and the first death from H5N1 bird flu was reported in Louisiana earlier this week.  

Last month, the first case of avian influenza in a bird in Galveston County was reported to state health officials. Other cases have been found in Wharton, El Paso, Potter and Harris counties, according to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention published a page on its website on ways to protect yourself from the virus along with treatments.