PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) — The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) has confirmed the presence of bird flu in a noncommercial farm flock in southern Washington County.

On Friday, members of the DEM's Division of Agriculture and Forest Management's Animal Health Unit humanely euthanized a flock of around 40 birds infected with the H5N1 strain of avian influenza.

Over the last month, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said more than 10 million birds in commercial and backyard flocks have been hit by the H5 bird flu.

The current strain of bird flu has only been detected twice in Rhode Island, with the first being in a backyard flock in October 2022 and the other in a fox kit in May 2023. The state has not yet had a positive commercial bird case.

According to the CDC, the public health risk for bird flu is low. No person-to-person spread of the disease has been detected in the U.S., and Rhode Island has not had any human cases to date.

However, the CDC recommends avoiding direct contact with wild, sick or dead birds. Farmers and pet owners should wear gloves while handling domesticated birds or livestock, as well as regularly washing their hands to prevent infection.

The DEM said Rhode Island is situated on the Atlantic flyway, a major migratory bird route. As a result, bird flu is expected to be present in wild birds in the area.