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New Jersey Press Releases Department of Health, State, County and Town. 2025

Commonground

Commonground

Senior Moderator
Hunterdon County
3/6/25

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DATE: March 06, 2025
Contact: Shaun C. Van Doren
shaun.vandoren@co.hunterdon.nj.us

New Jersey Department of Health Confirms Additional Feline Cases of H5/HPAI “Bird Flu”

On February 28th, the New Jersey Department of Health confirmed two cases of H5 Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI

or “bird flu”) in 2 domestic cats in Hunterdon County. Other cats on the same property had been ill and additional test

results were pending. Today, Hunterdon County Health Officer Karen DeMarco provided an update and reports the

laboratory testing for the pending samples confirms the four additional felines also tested positive for HPAI. A total of six

cats tested positive for HPAI, all six are connected on the same property.

County Commissioner and Liaison to the Department of Health Shaun C. Van Doren noted, “I am advised that the risk of H5

infection to the general population continues to remain low, but the Hunterdon County Health Department will continue to

take proactive action including educating those at greater risk for exposure which includes agricultural workers.”

According to NJDOH, cats are particularly susceptible to H5 HPAI and often experience severe disease and high mortality

when infected. Potential exposure sources of H5 HPAI for cats include consuming raw (unpasteurized) milk or

raw/undercooked meat contaminated with the virus, infected birds or other animals and their environments, or exposure

to contaminated clothing or items (fomites) worn or used on affected premises.

County Health Officer DeMarco added, “Health department staff are conducting daily symptom monitoring


County Health Officer DeMarco added, “Health department staff are conducting daily symptom monitoring with all

individuals who had close contact with the affected animals, and all are asymptomatic at this time.”

New Jersey residents should contact their veterinarian immediately if they are concerned that their cat may have H5 bird

flu. Anyone who suspects a possible exposure or who has H5 HPAI concerns about their cat should contact their veterinarian

prior to bringing the cat in to be seen so that the veterinarian can take the necessary precautions to prevent spread of

disease. Residents who observe a sick stray or feral cat should contact their local animal control for assistance.

Veterinarians who suspect H5 HPAI in a cat should follow CDC recommendations to help protect themselves and prevent

exposures, including wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) when handling the cats. All suspect feline cases should

be reported to the New Jersey Department of Health Communicable Disease Service at 609-826-4872

or zoonoticrn@doh.nj.gov. Testing for suspect feline cases is available at the New Jersey Animal Health Diagnostic

Laboratory, a member of the USDA’s National Animal Health Laboratory Network. Guidance for veterinarians on specimen

collection and submission can be found here.

New Jersey residents can find additional information and recommendations on ways to help prevent H5 bird flu infection in

cats from the American Veterinary Medical Association.

Additionally, cat owners can take the following steps to help protect their pets:
​
continued: https://www.co.hunterdon.nj.us/DocumentCenter/View/16577/HPAI-PR-03-06-25?bidId=
​
​
 
Town of Westfield

Westfield Regional Health Department
Important Safety Notice

Bird Flu Advisory: H5N1 Influenza Virus​
Report dead birds to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection by calling 1-877-WARN-DEP.
H5N1 bird flu has been identified in wild birds, dairy cows, poultry, and some individuals who have been exposed to sick animals.
While the current public health risk remains low, the Center for Disease Control (CDC) is monitoring the situation carefully and working with local health departments to monitor people with animal exposures.

To protect yourself and others:
Do not touch sick or dead birds, or surfaces contaminated with bird feces.
If handling a dead bird is necessary, wear gloves and a face mask and place in a plastic bag.
Wash your hands with soap and warm water after handling any bird or contaminated surface.
Wash any clothing worn during handling in hot water.
Disinfect footwear to prevent the spread of the virus.
Do not drink raw milk or give raw milk to pets.

Signs of bird flu ...
​Continued: https://www.westfieldnj.gov/DocumentCenter/View/8411/Bird-flu-Flyer-2025-FINAL


Westfield Regional Health Department
Avian Influenza A (H5N1) In Cats
​
https://www.westfieldnj.gov/DocumentCenter/View/8413/Avian-Influenza-in-Cats
 
Princeton
February 28, 2025​

Princeton Health Department Issues Guidance on Avian Influenza Precautions Following Positive Test in Bald Eagle

Princeton, New Jersey— The Princeton Health Department is urging residents and poultry owners to take precautions following a recent outbreak of H5N1, or avian influenza. H5N1 is a highly contagious airborne respiratory virus that spreads easily among birds through nasal and eye secretions, and manure. The New Jersey Department of Health continues to respond to the ongoing outbreak of the virus across the state.

s of February 10, 2025, there has been one presumed positive case of H5N1 in Princeton. Princeton received notification that a deceased bald eagle found near Prospect Avenue and Lake Carnegie tested positive for H5N1 earlier this month. The eagle had been submitted for testing on December 4, 2024, and was later identified as a presumptive positive case by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection.
-snip-

Key Recommendations:
  • Stay informed about avian influenza (H5N1) at https://www.nj.gov/H5N1.
  • Avoid contact with wild birds, especially ducks and geese. Observe them from a distance.
  • Do not touch sick or dead wild or domestic birds. Report any sick or dead wild birds to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection at 1-877-WARNDEP (877-927-6337).
  • Report dead or sick domestic birds or livestock to the New Jersey Department of Agriculture at 609-671-6400 or by emailing state.veterinarian@ag.nj.gov.
  • Only consume pasteurized milk, and cook poultry, eggs, and beef to the appropriate temperature, per USDA Safe Internal Temperature chart.
  • Backyard poultry owners should keep birds indoors or in fully enclosed areas away from wild birds and their waste. Wash and sanitize hands before and after handling birds. Report any suspected avian flu to the Department of Agriculture immediately.
  • Keep pets, especially dogs and cats, away from areas with lots of geese or their waste. Do not feed pets raw meat, poultry, or unpasteurized milk.
  • If your pet shows signs of illness, contact your veterinarian immediately to check for bird flu.
https://www.princetonnj.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=562

​
 
Hillsborough Township Department of Health

Bird Flu Update

March 12, 2025
The Bird Flu virus is spreading in wild birds across the state. It is highly contagious and deadly to other birds, but the risk to humans is low. The NJ Dept. of Environmental Protection and NJ Dept. of Agriculture are conducting surveillance of sick and dead birds. Avoid touching dead birds to limit the spread of the virus, and report dead or sick birds to the NJDEP for wild birds and to the NJ Dept. of Agriculture for domestic birds like chickens. See flyer for more details.

Continued: https://hillsboroughnj.gov/news-announcements/1837-bird-flu-update
​
 
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