Health officials said it’s not common for H5N1 to transfer to humans, but it is possible.
ARDEN, N.C. — Health officials confirmed Friday that a waterfowl found dead at a park has tested preliminarily positive for H5N1 avian influenza, commonly known as bird flu.
In a news release, Buncombe County leaders said eight dead waterfowl were recently found at Lake Julian Park in Arden. Additional tests on the remaining birds are still pending, but there’s no timeline yet for when those results will return.
The park remains open to visitors, though officials advise against touching or feeding waterfowl and emphasize the importance of regular hand washing.
“It’s not common for the virus to transmit from animals to humans, but it is possible,” said Buncombe County Public Health Director Dr. Ellis Matheson. “Reduce your risk of infection by staying away from sick or dead birds, and the same goes for your pets as well.”
County parks and public health officials are collaborating with the NC Wildlife Resources Commission, Division of Public Health, and Department of Agriculture to implement cleaning protocols, monitor potential human exposure, and establish procedures for handling affected animals.
Arden is located about 133 miles west of Charlotte and nine miles south of Asheville.
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services notes that bird flu symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, runny nose, and red, irritated eyes, which they note is a characteristic sign of the infection.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that 67 human cases of H5 bird flu have been confirmed in the United States since 2024, with one reported death.
