DEC warns Long Islanders about reports of dead birds amid rise in bird flu cases
Officials say if you see a dead bird, assume it’s contaminated with bird flu.
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The DEC is warning residents about the bird flu, as more dead birds are being sighted on Long Island.
Officials say if you see a dead bird, assume it’s contaminated with bird flu.
Reports of dead birds seen on Long Island’s South Shore now include Smith Point County Park, Mother’s Beach in Bellport, Miramar Beach in East Patchogue and Shirley Beach in Shirley, according to the DEC.
Positive bird flu test results from Cornell University's Wildlife Health Laboratory include 128 birds in 37 New York counties, including Nassau and Suffolk.
Earlier this year, the bird flu outbreak hit Long Island’s Crescent Duck Farm, infecting its flock and forcing the facility to temporarily close.
DEC wildlife biologist Kevin Hynes says a lot of the dead birds found right now are likely to be infected with bird flu.
He says between 30 to 40 cases have been reported in humans in the state, mostly with people who have cleaned out an infected poultry operation. Their symptoms include conjunctivitis and a fever.
“The CDC and local health departments are tracking these folks and seeing if any of their contacts have had symptoms or signs, so if they can see if there’s any evidence of spread from person to person, which has not happened yet," said Hynes.
If you come across any dead birds, you can report it to the DEC here.
