(WPRI) — The Connecticut Department of Agriculture announced on Friday that the bird flu has been detected in a flock of domesticated birds in New London County. The Connecticut Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory detected the H5N1 virus within a backyard flock of chickens, ducks and peacocks on Wednesday. The birds were family pets and not commercial poultry, the department added. The entire flock had to be humanely euthanized to prevent the disease from spreading, especially since the birds had been in close contact with waterfowl in a nearby pond, according to the department. The depopulation of infected flocks is standard practice since it is highly contagious and there is no effective treatment for the virus. New London County is located just over the Rhode Island border. Bird flu Since the start of 2025, Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) has been detected in 6.01 million domesticated birds across the United States, according to the United States Department of Agriculture's avian disease tracker. Symptoms include lack of energy and appetite, decreased egg production, swelling, discoloration, nasal discharge, coughing and sneezing. The current strain of bird flu has only been detected twice in Rhode Island: first in a backyard flock in October 2022 and then again in a fox kit in May 2023. H5N1 has been detected in 67 United States citizens since 2022, per the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Of those cases, only one person has died. Between 2022 and 2024, the World Health Organization recorded 90 human cases of avian influenza. Eight have resulted in death. Protecting your flock The USDA's "Defend the Flock" initiative provides farmers and owners with important information regarding the bird flu and how to protect poultry from infection. Anyone who suspects one or more of their birds are sick is urged to reach out to one of the following for assistance: Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management » Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources » Connecticut Department of Agriculture » Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Breaking News SIGN UP NOW