Hundreds of wild bird deaths reported in seven counties, prompting park closures

Hundreds of geese have reportedly died in New Jersey and bird flu is suspected to be the culprit.

According to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), more than 1,100 dead or sick wild birds, almost all of them Canada geese, were reported between February 14 and 16 in seven counties.

Although testing is still pending, officials say the deaths were likely caused by highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), more commonly known as bird flu, which is a respiratory disease of birds caused by influenza A viruses.

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“I find the images of the dead and dying birds very disturbing, disturbing and a reminder that bird flu is still around,” Dr. David J. Cennimo, an associate professor of medicine and pediatrics and an infectious disease specialist at Rutgers Medical School in New Jersey, told News Digital.

“It is important to note that at the time of writing, the cause of death has not been announced, and only avian influenza is strongly suspected, but the picture is consistent with avian influenza, and there is good reason for high-level suspicion.”

Some local parks have temporarily closed out of “an abundance of caution,” including Betty Park and Alcyon Park in Gloucester County.

“Residents are asked not to approach any geese in or around the area,” Pittman Township warned in a social media post.

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Common symptoms of HPAI among birds include diarrhea, coughing, sneezing, runny nose and lack of coordination, according to the DEP. However, some birds can die from the virus even if they never appear sick.

While geese account for the majority of deaths in New Jersey, avian influenza also poses a risk to chickens, turkeys and ducks.

“We have seen cases of avian influenza in other animals, especially dairy cows and cats,” Cennimo said. “If possible, pets should be kept away from sick birds.”

Although the risk to the public is low, health officials recommend avoiding direct contact with birds or wild animals that may be infected.

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“Public awareness and precautionary measures are essential to mitigate the impact of avian influenza on both agriculture and public health,” the DEP stated.

Avian influenza viruses continue to spread in wild bird populations, Cennimo said, and transmission can be amplified by close congregations of birds. This can happen during a period of freezing temperatures, when there is limited water availability.

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“The risk to humans remains low at this time,” the expert confirmed. “If birds died from influenza, they could still carry live viruses and infect humans. For this reason, people should avoid touching sick or dead birds, wear protective measures such as gloves, and wash their hands.”

“It’s sad from an ecological point of view, but it also poses a risk to nearby agricultural facilities.”

Rebecca Carriere Christofferson, PhD, associate professor of pathobiological sciences at LSU’s College of Veterinary Medicine, said mass bird deaths are a symptom of continued transmission of avian flu.

“It’s sad from an ecological perspective, but it also poses a risk to any nearby agricultural facilities, as we’ve seen in recent years in poultry and dairy cattle,” he told News Digital. “The greater the transmission, the greater the chance of transmission to humans.”

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Last year, there were some human deaths due to bird flu, mostly related to contact with infected animals, Christofferson noted.

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“Surveillance is key to preventing uncontrolled spread, and understanding the patterns of where the virus is (and where it’s going) can help mitigate the current risk to our animal and human populations.”