Health director briefs committee on avian influenza; department says human risk low and no county cases reported

Director McKnight told the McLean County Board Health Committee the health department is monitoring the ongoing H5N1 avian influenza outbreak but considers the risk to the general public "very low" unless someone has occupational exposure to infected animals.

Director McKnight said data for the county’s guidance is coming from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and state agriculture and public-health agencies. "Most of, over 90 percent have had direct contact with either infected cows or, as part of wild flocks or bird depopulation," McKnight said, describing the exposure pattern in recent human cases.

A committee member representing downtown raised concerns about accumulations of bird droppings in commercial areas and asked whether the public should remove backyard bird feeders. McKnight advised no change in feeder placement at this time and recommended common-sense precautions: avoid direct contact with sick or dead birds, follow disposal guidance on the Illinois Department of Public Health website, and clean or disinfect shoes or hands if they may have contacted droppings.

When asked whether there have been any human cases of H5N1 in McLean County or Illinois, McKnight said, "We have not, and no human cases in Illinois."

The committee also discussed whether to boost social-media outreach or issue additional press releases to raise public awareness. McKnight said the department would "look into that" and could expand digital outreach tools.

The health department report included budget-assumption figures and an update on construction at county facilities; staff said census and payer mix assumptions have been adjusted to accommodate construction-related impacts. No specific new public-health orders or restrictions were recommended during the meeting.