Positive Bird Flu Cases Found In Group Of Dead Geese In Burlington Co.

HAINESPORT, NJ — Several of the dead geese found recently in Burlington County tested positive for bird flu, health officials said Wednesday.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture tested several of the dead wild geese that were discovered last week in Hainesport. The tests came back presumptive positive.

More than 1,100 sick of dead wild birds were discovered throughout New Jersey during Presidents' Day weekend. Most were dead Canada geese, with a few reports of other bird species, including brant along the coast, according to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection.

State officials suspect the birds were sickened by Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza — a particularly potent bird flu strain known as H5N1, which has been at the center of an outbreak that federal officials have monitored since early 2022.

In Burlington County, the surge of dead wild birds also impacted Evesham and Pemberton Township during that period. None of the reported cases impacted humans or domestic animals.

Additional testing on the dead geese in Hainesport will be performed by the National Veterinary Services Laboratory for further confirmation.

No other testing is expected on any of the dead birds discovered in the county, according to the Burlington County Health Department.

Health officials stress that H5N1 is primarily an animal issue, and the risk to people is low. But humans and pets, especially those with prolonged contact with infected animals, can catch the virus.

The public is advised to take the following precautions:

• Avoid direct contact with birds. Do not feed, touch or remove birds from the area.
• Walk cautiously where birds gather to avoid bird feces.
• Keep pets away from affected areas.
• Wash your hands thoroughly after outdoor activities.
• Report groups of sick or dead birds to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection.

In Burlington County, cases in wild birds go back at least a year. A dead goose found in Pemberton tested positive for H5N1 in February 2025.

Bird flu was detected on a commercial farm in Burlington County last month, marking the county's only-known instance of the disease in a domestic population since the outbreak began. Officials didn't disclose the impacted farm.

Sick and dead birds have been found recently in several South Jersey communities, including Gloucester Township and multiple Gloucester County locations.

Burlington County and the NJDEP have H5N1 webpages with more info.