Bird flu detected in Lincoln wastewater, health department reports

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – The Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department on Thursday reported that bird flu was found in Lincoln’s wastewater.

The disease was detected in a wastewater sample collected from the Northeast Water Resource Recovery Facility near 70th Street and Fletcher Avenue.

There have been no human cases of bird flu reported in Lancaster County, but the disease was found in a large backyard flock in December.

SEE ALSO: Two more cases of bird flu detected in Nebraska poultry flocks

“Our disease surveillance systems are always active and provide data and information on a daily basis,” Health Director Kerry Kernen said in a press release. “In this instance, testing is telling us an H5 subtype of flu was present in wastewater. But it doesn’t tell us whether the virus came from animals, animal products or people or if the detection is highly pathogenic avian influenza (H5N1). We’re working to identify possible sources and further testing will help us learn more about the situation.”

Right now, bird flu remains primarily an animal health issue.

No person-to-person spread has been found, and the current risk to the public remains low, according to the Centers for Disease Control.

But it still causes some concern for residents.

“It is worrying that the avian bird flu has been found in wastewater in Lincoln just because of what happened with COVID-19,” said Lorraine, who submitted a reaction video to the NOW Local News App. “As we saw back then, anything can really happen. I just hope we don’t have another pandemic on our hands.”

SEE ALSO: Nebraska’s fifth case of bird flu in December detected in Johnson County flock

For more information on your risk of infection and how to prevent bird flu exposure, visit the CDC’s website.