San Diego County has seen its first case of bird flu and the disease might spread across the county and even beyond.
The carcass of a deceased black swan that was discovered last week at Lake San Marcos has tested positive for avian flu, according to the San Diego Union Tribune.
Since the Black Swan is not owned by anybody, an unknown party submitted the body to California Animal Health and Food Safety Laboratory in San Bernardino.
After laboratory tests were conducted, samples from the body were confirmed positive for avian flu.
The United States is currently undergoing one of the worst bird flu outbreaks in years.
As previously reported, 47.6 million birds have been affected this year, with the disease spreading to 42 states, according to data provided by the USDA.
The Avian virus is caused by the Avian Influenza, which is a highly contagious pathogen that can spread from bird to bird, usually through bodily fluids, and affects their neurological and respiratory systems.
The avian influenza can affect birds, those who are into poultry famine, and those who keep birds as pets should take note and employ precautions accordingly.
Humans and other animals can also be affected by avian influenza in certain circumstances. It can cause mild breathing problems, depending on the type of avian influenza virus.
Do not pick up or touch sick, dying, or dead poultry or wild birds, keep pets away from them, and try to avoid contact with bird faeces.
Maintain good personal hygiene with regular hand washing with soap and use of alcohol-based hand rubs, also try to avoid touching random feathers.
If you decide to touch a dead bed, you should place the dead wild bird in a suitably sized and robust plastic bag, preferably leak proof. Take care not to contaminate the outside of the bag;
