Dead Geese Reported In NJ Amidst Suspected Bird Flu Outbreak

Following reports of over 1,000 sick or dead wild birds throughout New Jersey, more dead geese have been found in the Garden State.

On Tuesday, municipalities in both Monmouth County and Salem County reported dead geese in their local parks and lakes.

In Salem County, the Woodstown Police Department warned of dead geese reported at Woodstown Memorial Lake, while in Monmouth County, Allentown Borough officials warned of dead geese identified on the pond at their local parks.

• Read More: Dead Geese Prompt Park Closures In Allentown: See Details

These reports follow a period in late February where over 1,100 sick or dead wild birds were reported to the NJ Department of Environmental Protection (NJ DEP) over the course of a three-day period.

According to NJ DEP officials, an active outbreak of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), or “Bird Flu,” is likely responsible for the dead and sick wild birds, though an official cause has not yet been confirmed.

"Our highest suspicion at this time is highly pathogenic avian influenza," NJ State Wildlife Pathologist Dr. Patrick Connelly previously told News 12 New Jersey. "This is a significant number of birds dying on the landscape in single locations beyond what we have seen in previous years."

• Read More: Mysterious Bird Deaths Solved, NJDEP Reports 'Active Outbreak'

In the NJ DEP’s suspected HPAI update from Feb. 18 through Feb. 24, officials said 7,490 dead or sick birds have been reported to the DEP.

While almost all the reports are of Canada geese, officials said there have also been a few reports of other bird species, such as brant, along the coast.

Earlier in February, officials said testing for brant came back negative for HPAI, which suggests brant mortality could be caused by freezing temperatures and a lack of food.

“Concentrated die-offs may be occurring in areas where birds are congregating looking for open water as ice melts,” officials said.

NJ counties where municipalities have reported incidents of 20 or more bird mortalities include:

• Atlantic County
• Bergen County
• Burlington County
• Camden County
• Cape May County
• Cumberland County
• Gloucester County
• Middlesex County
• Monmouth County
• Salem County
• Somerset County
• Ocean County

The NJ DEP is urging the public to report any sick or dead birds they see, particularly in groups of five or more, to the Wild Bird Disease Reporting Form.

While HPAI can infect humans, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) has declared that the ongoing HPAI outbreak is primarily an animal health issue that poses low risk to the health of the general public.

Though risk is low, authorities are still advising members of the public to limit contact with dead wildlife and to keep children and pets away.

To protect yourself from Avian Influenza, the CDC recommends the following steps:

• Avoid direct contact with sick or dead wild birds, poultry, dairy cows and other animals. Observe them only from a distance.
• If you must have direct or close contact with sick or dead wild birds, poultry, or other animals, wear recommended personal protective equipment.
• Do not touch surfaces or materials contaminated with saliva, mucous, or animal feces from wild or domesticated birds, dairy cows, or other animals with confirmed or suspected Avian Bird Influenza A Virus infection.
• Do not touch or consume raw milk or raw milk products, especially from animals with confirmed or suspected Avian Influenza A Virus infection or in areas known to have infected herds.

To learn more, you can visit the CDC website or the NJ DEP website.

Related

• Dead Geese Prompt Park Closures In Allentown: See Details
• Mysterious Bird Deaths Solved, NJDEP Reports 'Active Outbreak'
• More Than 1K Dead Birds Reported Across NJ Over 3 Days, Prompting Park Closures