A bird dead from bird flu lays in a lake in Linum, Brandenburg, Germany, Monday, Oct. 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)

PARKERSBURG — The Mid-Ohio Valley Health Department is raising awareness of the H5N1 avian bird flu and other diseases that affect animals and humans on One Health Day Nov. 3.

One Health Day encourages the One Health approach that recognizes the connection between people, animals, plants and their shared environment.

One Health means that public health is involved, along with other experts, in working together to improve the health of not only people, but animals that include pets, livestock and wildlife, as well as the environment.

H5N1, the avian bird flu, is an example of a zoonotic disease that can be spread between animals and people. More than half of all infections people can get are this type of disease.

To protect themselves and other animals from bird flu, those with backyard flocks are advised to not touch sick or dead birds, their litter and any surface they may have had contact with and should wear personal protective equipment while dealing with them. Keep other animals away from the birds and their equipment, which includes livestock and pets, and watch for signs of illness in them if they have been exposed.

Those interested in learning more about H5N1 can visit the Mid-Ohio Valley Health Department’s website, www.movhd.com/h5n1 and can also sign up for the department’s newsletter at that link. Learn more about One Health Day at https://www.cdc.gov/one-health/about/index.html