CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — The bird flu is showing up again in North Carolina's agriclture industry, and health officials are advising on how to handle the rise in cases.

As of April 2024, there have been 24 confirmed cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza, otherwise known as HPAI, in wild birds in North Carolina. It’s something state agriculturalists say they continue to watch closely. 

The North Carolina Wildlife Resources also recently confirmed a single case in a black bear in Hyde County.

Scientists at UNC Chapel Hill said this disease mostly transfers to livestock, including birds and cows.

Humans can get infected through direct or indirect contact with infected birds or their droppings, but it’s rare — especially for those who do not live or work on a farm.

Mark Heise is a virologist at UNC School of Medicine. Heise and some of his students study viruses in a lab, develop anti-viral drugs, and will work in a cell culture room.

“It’s where we grow the cell that we use to work with the viruses,” Heise said.

Having graduated from UNC in 1997, Heise has devoted over 30 years to studying viruses.

He’s been doing this a long time, so when they find a virus like the new strain of avian influenza, Heise said it peaked his interest.

Heise said this new strain of bird flu is highly contagious among birds and though it can infect humans, it's unlikely.

He added the public should know the potential threat posed by the virus but also said not to panic.

“The greatest risk right now is really to the U.S. agricultural industry,” Heise explained.

At the moment, researchers are monitoring the spread, but they do not consider food to be in danger. However, agricultural animals may experience significant impacts.

Symptoms in livestock of the new strain of bird flu include not eating, less milk production and abnormal appearance in their milk.

Symptoms in chicken include sudden death, lack of energy, appetite and coordination problems as well as reduced egg production, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association. Though most birds will die from it, dairy cattle recover with treatment.

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is providing a toolkit online to help identify these symptoms

“I do think it’s important,” Heise said. “Though, from a public health standpoint that we continue to prepare for the possibility that these viruses could make the jump or be a problem in the future.”

That’s a challenge he and his students are willing to take on.