Bird flu (H5N1) has been found in wild birds and poultry in the DMV, but no cases have been reported in DC. The risk to people is low, but staff and students who handle birds or contaminated surfaces should take precautions. This H5N1 bird flu virus has the potential to affect students and school staff that come in close contact with infected birds or contaminated surfaces. Currently, human transmission is rare, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has not identified any human-to-human transmission in the US.

Key Actions for Schools:

• Share guidance with staff handling birds, nests, or contaminated areas (e.g., custodial, maintenance, and chicken program staff).

•  Remind students and staff to avoid handling wild birds or their nests without proper personal protective equipment (PPE), including while on school grounds and environmental field trips.

•  Promote hygiene—encourage frequent handwashing and avoid touching wild birds.

•  Report concerns—notify DC Health if you see three or more sick or dead birds on school grounds.

•  Monitor health—staff with possible exposure and flu-like symptoms should isolate and contact DC Health. See more here: symptoms of bird flu

Please review and share this guidance with school staff who may encounter birds or contaminated surfaces, including maintenance, groundskeeping or custodial staff who may encounter nesting or dead wild birds (including bird feathers and bird droppings) and school staff who manage an approved school chicken program used for educational purposes (see here how bird flu can spread via a chicken program). As a reminder, if your school has a school chicken program, it must be approved annually by DC Health (see more information here).

Immediately report any signs of sick or dead wild birds (three or more) or chickens on school grounds to DC Health.

For details, visit the CDC website or contact DC Health at animal.info@dc.gov or (202) 535-2323.