Cases rise across nation as NCDHHS speak out

A bird found dead at a Hendersonville lake has tested positive for bird flu, according to local officials.

The Henderson County Department of Public Health announced on Tuesday that on February 8, officials were notified of five dead birds at Osceola Lake, a privately owned lake in Hendersonville. One of the birds was submitted to the state for bird flu testing and yielded a positive result for H5N1, or bird flu.

The health department has provided guidance to the owner of the lake as well as to homeowners, guests and others who have been allowed to use the lake for recreational purposes.

The owner has also posted signage stating contact with birds should be avoided.

The bird is at least the third confirmed case of bird flu in western North Carolina. In 2024 a dead duck found at Lake Louise tested positive for bird flu, and in January waterfowl at a Buncombe County park also tested positive.

Also in January a small game flock of birds also tested positive for bird flu.

Bird flu is a disease that can affect most species of birds and some mammals, according to the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services. These viruses naturally spread among wild aquatic birds worldwide and can also infect domestic poultry and other birds and animals, health officials said.

The risk of bird flu spreading to humans is low, according to health officials, and most cases happen when someone has direct contact with an infected bird or their feces.

“Avian influenza viruses rarely infect people,” NCDHHS officials said.

Symptoms of bird flu include fever, cough, shortness of breath, runny nose and red, irritated eyes.

“Birds, their feces and saliva should be avoided by the public,” health officials urge. “People should avoid contact with sick or dead animals.”

If a dead bird needs to be disposed of, health officials recommend wearing gloves or using a plastic bag turned inside out. Those who have direct contact with wild birds or sick animals are also advised to wear protective equipment.

“Wild birds can be infected with the virus even if they don’t look sick,” Health Department officials said.

Click here for a list of bird flu cases in North Carolina over the past few years.

*This article contains information from Spectrum 1 and WSPA