GREENVILLE, S.C. (FOX Carolina) - Spartanburg has a confirmed case of the bird flu. The CDC reports the virus was detected on Dec. 31, 2024, in a flock of about 490 birds.

The CDC didn't specify exactly where the birds were in the county but says it was reported by a Commerical Upland Gamebird Producer.

So far it has not spread to any humans, but it is a concern.

"Normally with outbreaks like this it is usually gone in a season," SC State Veterinarian with Clemson University, Michael Neault said. "This is the longest animal disease outbreak that we have experienced. This is giving it more chance to mutate, which is why people are watching it much more closely."

Neault says the recent bird flu has been circulating for a few years. The USDA reports more than 32 million birds have been infected by this virus in the last four months.

16 states currently report the virus has spread to cattle. There have been 67 human cases and one human death. The person who died was in Louisiana and had underlying health conditions.

Clemson University director of poultry health programs, Julie Helm, says the bird flu is usually a low risk to humans, but they are keeping a close eye on recent mutations.

"The biggest concern is if the avian influenza virus were to mix with a human virus and thus make it easier to not only infect humans but then make the jump of human to human spread," Helm said. "Then, creating the next pandemic, so that has always been the greatest concern."

Right now the CDC reports the virus is not spreading from human to human, but rather only from animal to human.

Helm and Neault said farmers can take several measures to protect their cattle and poultry. They said cows are also being tested for bird flu before they move from state to state.

Meanwhile, in Georgia, the CDC reports the virus was also detected in a flock of 10 non-poultry birds in Clayton County on Jan. 9. The outbreak was contained.