Avian bird flu arrives in L. A. County

Published on October 23, 2022

The L.A. County Department of Public Health indicates that avian bird flu poses a low risk to humans but is highly contagious among birds.

Several cases of infected birds have now been detected in L.A. County, including one case in a Canada Goose in Cerritos.

Public Health recommends the following to reduce the spread and risk of avian influenza:

• Avoid contact with wild birds, even if they don’t look sick.
• Avoid surfaces that may be contaminated with saliva or feces from wild or domestic birds.
• Keep dogs and pets away from wild birds.
• Take down birdfeeders and birdbaths that may lead birds to congregate.
• Do not handle sick or injured birds. Contact your local animal control agency for help.
• Bird owners should seek veterinary attention for their animals if they seem sick, and thoroughly wash hands after handling them.

Tips for people with backyard poultry

• Remove water and food sources that feed wild birds (bird feeders, bird baths, etc.).
• Keep poultry feed away from wild birds and rodents.
• Thoroughly wash your hands and clean and disinfect footwear before and after coming into contact with your birds.

What Lakewood is doing to help

Lakewood, unlike most cities, is fortunate to have a full-time Park Maintenance Worker at every one of our parks, and our already proactive team of maintenance staff will increase attention to any bird feces on highly trafficked surfaces and amenities such as picnic tables and drinking fountains as part of their daily routine. Lakewood will continue to monitor this situation.

For more information, please see the Department of Public Health press release.