Bird Flu Outbreak in New Jersey

The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection’s Division of Fish and Wildlife is currently keeping an eye on a bird flu outbreak that has led to concerning mass deaths among wild birds across the state.

Last weekend, state officials noted that over 1,100 wild birds, mostly Canada geese, were found either sick or dead.

While testing remains ongoing, officials suspect that bird flu is the primary cause of these wild bird fatalities. The H5N1 strain of the virus is quite widespread among wild populations globally, and it’s causing outbreaks in both poultry and U.S. dairy cattle, alongside sporadic cases in humans, as reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Though the likelihood of transmission to humans seems low, Dr. David J. Cennimo—an associate professor at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School—cautions that it is “still possible.”

Cennimo advises against handling sick or dead birds and recommends that residents keep their dogs leashed and supervise children while outdoors.

Typical signs indicating bird flu in affected birds include diarrhea, nasal discharge, coughing, sneezing, and lack of coordination. However, many wild birds may show no symptoms at all until it’s too late.

Residents who encounter sick or dead birds are encouraged to report them using a dedicated reporting form or by calling a state hotline.

In response to the outbreak, several county park systems have issued warnings or shut down public areas to reduce the likelihood of disease transmission.

For instance, officials in Pitman declared a temporary closure of two parks, Betty Park and Alcyon Park, after reports of deceased geese. Monmouth County Park System also cautioned visitors on social media against touching sick or dead birds.

“Park Rangers have observed dead and sick Canada Geese in some parks this week. Avian flu is suspected,” they noted on their Facebook page.

The Somerset County Park Commission announced closures in specific areas as well, like the Environmental Education Center in Basking Ridge, because of local bird deaths.

According to a spokeswoman for the state Division of Fish and Wildlife, they are coordinating with local officials to dispose of bird carcasses where possible. However, with so many reports pouring in, resources may fall short.

In a notice from Hainesport Township, residents are advised to wear protective gear when removing any dead birds from their property.

Should they choose to intervene, homeowners should take certain precautions:

• Wear personal protective equipment like gloves, masks, and eye protection.
• Avoid direct contact with the animal; use tools to move the carcass.
• Double-bag each bird and dispose of it properly in outdoor trash containers away from pets.
• Thoroughly wash hands and disinfect tools after handling the carcass.

Nevertheless, it’s recommended that homeowners don’t feel obligated to handle bird carcasses themselves. They can reach out to local municipalities or private wildlife services for assistance.

Although human cases of bird flu are infrequent, the CDC is closely monitoring developments. As of now, they’ve recorded 71 total human cases and two fatalities since February 2024, mainly among those in contact with poultry or dairy animals

“It’s primarily a contact issue,” explained Cennimo. “You’re not going to get sick from geese just flying around; it’s more about direct contact.”

Reported symptoms in humans include eye irritation, mild fever, cough, sore throat, nasal congestion, body aches, headaches, and fatigue. If bird flu is suspected in a person, they should contact their local health department.

No human infections related to this outbreak have been reported in New Jersey as of Thursday.