Eight cases of bird flu have been detected in wild birds in Los Angeles County, the Department of Public Health confirmed Monday, marking the first sign of the virus in the county.

The cases were detected in three Canada Geese and one Black-crowned Night Heron in Long Beach, three Canada Geese in the city of Los Angeles and one Canada Goose in Cerritos, according to DPH.

The cases are part of the ongoing national outbreak of bird flu, also known as H5N1. County health officials stressed that the health risk to the general public from the virus is low. Avian influenza is a viral disease of birds caused by type A influenza viruses.

The disease is of concern for domestic birds because it is highly contagious and can cause illness and death in commercial and backyard flocks.

The virus can spread through direct bird-to-bird contact or indirectly when the virus is on clothing, shoes, vehicles, rodents, insects, food, water or feathers, said health officials. Birds excrete the virus in bodily fluids such as respiratory droplets, mucus, saliva, and feces.

Although the risk of human transmission is low, health officials said, human infections can occur when the virus is inhaled as droplets or dust, or when it enters the eyes, nose or mouth. of a person, either by contact with infected birds or by contact with infected animals. surfaces.

There is currently no Lyme disease vaccine available in the United States.

Health officials have also noted that, like other viruses, bird flu could potentially mutate with wider transmission, potentially spreading more easily to humans.

Authorities have urged residents to avoid handling wild birds and only observe them from a distance. People who are exposed to birds in the course of their work.

including animal shelters, veterinary clinics or poultry processing plants, or recreational exposure should wear personal protective equipment when handling them, according to DPH.