The first case of the Avian flu since 2006 was confirmed Wednesday in Kanawha County in a backyard flock of birds by the West Virginia Department of Health.
H5N1 is a virus that spreads amongst birds via eye and nasal secretions. The virus poses a limited public health threat as the virus does not spread easily to humans, even with direct contact with the effected birds, nor does it affect poultry, meat or egg products, according to a news release by WVDH. Still, health officials are working closely to prevent transmission of the virus.