Essex County Emergency Preparedness Track
Essex County, in partnership with HAPevolve, is providing our healthcare facilities with an Emergency Preparedness Track, a program developed to provide training, expertise, tools, and other resources that will help to advance your emergency preparedness journey.
About the Essex County Office of Public Health Management (ECOPHM)
The Essex County Office of Public Health Management (ECOPHM) is dedicated to improving the health and well-being of residents, workers, and visitors across Essex County. With a strong focus on advancing health equity, ECOPHM ensures timely and effective responses to public health challenges and emergencies.
Our Mission
Our mission is to deliver exceptional public health services, striving to enhance the physical health, mental health, and well-being of everyone who calls Essex County home, works here, or visits.
What We Do
Disease Prevention & Control
ECOPHM develops programs to combat the spread of infectious diseases through vaccinations, health screenings, and outbreak response coordination.
Emergency Preparedness & Response
Our team creates and executes emergency response plans for natural disasters, disease outbreaks, and other public health emergencies.
Environmental Health Monitoring
We conduct inspections and manage initiatives to ensure food safety, sanitation, and clean air and water.
Health Education & Promotion
ECOPHM provides resources and programs to educate the community about health risks, disease prevention, and healthy living.
Medical Reserve Corps (MRC)
Our MRC program mobilizes local volunteers to assist in emergency preparedness and response efforts across Essex County.
Mobile Health Services
We oversee mobile clinics and outreach programs that deliver healthcare to underserved and remote communities.
NJLINCS Collaboration
Working with local governments, healthcare providers, and community organizations, we improve access to health services and safeguard public health.
Building a Healthier Future
Through these essential services, ECOPHM is committed to creating a healthier, safer, and more equitable Essex County for everyone.
BIRD FLU
The Bird Flu- Myths vs Facts
Recently, the news has been circulating with discussions surrounding Avian Influenza, also commonly referred to as the bird flu. The bird flu primarily affects wild and domestic birds, dairy cows, cats, and some wild mammals. The reason why this disease is a public health issue is because there have been reported cases of humans with the bird flu. It is important to know the facts of this disease in order to stay safe and well informed. Below are the common facts to address the myths of the bird flu.
Essex County Office of Public Health utilized information from peer-reviewed articles to develop this article for informational and educational purpose.
For further information about the bird flu, please see the references sited at the end of the page.
Myth
“The bird flu spreads easily from birds to humans just by being in the same area.”
Fact
Human infections with bird flu are rare. They usually happen when someone has close contact with infected birds, like touching and handling sick or dead birds or eating raw poultry. Just being in the same area as an infected bird doesn’t typically spread the virus.
Myth
“You can get bird flu from eating chicken or eggs.”
Fact
Properly cooked poultry and eggs at a temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit is safe to eat and does not transmit bird flu.
Myth
“Bird flu is easily spread from human to human.”
Fact
Human-to-human transmission of bird flu is rare, although possible. The most common way the bird flu spreads is through animal to human contact.
Myth
“All human cases of bird flu can lead to death.”
Fact
According to the CDC, of the 70 reported cases in the United States since April 2024, there has been only one confirmed death.
Myth
“The bird flu has the same symptoms as the seasonal flu.”
Fact
Symptoms of the bird flu vary based on the severity of infection but typically follow a progression:
· Early Symptoms: Fever, cough, sore throat, conjunctivitis, and muscle pain
· Progressive Symptoms: difficulty breathing, chest pain, and fatigue
· Severe Symptoms: Rapid progression to severe respiratory failure, often accompanied by rapid breathing, low oxygen level), hypotension. In some cases, altered mental status and cyanosis (bluish skin due to lack of oxygen) occur, suggesting advanced respiratory failure or organ dysfunction.
In conclusion, it’s important to know the truth about the bird flu, to avoid misunderstanding the risks. The bird flu doesn’t spread easily from birds to humans unless there’s close contact, like touching sick birds or eating raw poultry. Eating properly cooked chicken and eggs is safe. While human-to-human spread is rare, it can happen. Most people who get the bird flu don’t die from it, and many don’t experience severe symptoms. However, it can cause serious illness, so it’s important to recognize the symptoms early. By understanding these facts, we can stay safe and avoid unnecessary worry.
Resources
H5 Bird flu: current situation. (2025, March 18). Avian Influenza (Bird Flu). https://www.cdc.gov/bird-flu/situation-summary/index.html
Risk to People in the United States from Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza A(H5N1) Viruses. (2025, February 28). CFA: Qualitative Assessments. https://www.cdc.gov/cfa-qualitative-assessments/php/data-research/h5-risk-assessment.html
Tripathi, A. K., Sendor, A. B., & Sapra, A. (2025, February 5). Avian influenza. StatPearls – NCBI Bookshelf. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK553072/
What You Need to Know
