Authorities have discovered a mild form of avian influenza at a live bird market in New Jersey. It is not, however, the deadly H5N1 strain, according to New Jersey’s agriculture department.
Details have not been made available on when the avian flu in Camden County was discovered. The H5N1 strain can kills chickens, as well as infect people. There is a world-wide concern that if the virus acquires the ability to pass easily from person to person, it could cause a pandemic that could potentially kill millions. The H5N1 avian flu strain has already infected 205 people and killed 113 since 2003.Preliminary tests from the National Veterinary Services laboratory were negative for type N1 of the virus. More tests are pending at laboratories of the U.S. Agriculture Department in Ames, Iowa, to confirm the strain of the virus. The market in Camden County will be inspected again by New Jersey's Division of Animal Health before being allowed to reopen.
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