DEC REMINDS NEW YORKERS TO STAY ALERT FOR HIGHLY PATHOGENIC AVIAN INFLUENZA

Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in Wild Birds Expected to Increase Over Winter Months 

Interview with DEC Wildlife Health Program Leader, Kevin Hynes, is available HERE 

Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) continues to infect birds and mammals across the U.S. and Canada, including New York State. With wild bird mortalities from HPAI increasing in late fall and peaking over the winter months, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) reminds New Yorkers to stay alert.

“Under Governor Hochul’s leadership, DEC is taking a proactive approach with our coordinated effort to monitor potential signs of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in wild birds,” said DEC Commissioner Amanda Lefton. “We have a great web-based tool for the public to use to report any signs the viral disease is spreading to different areas of the state.”  

HPAI is carried by free-flying waterfowl and other waterbirds, such as ducks, geese, and shorebirds, but can also infect domestic poultry, raptors, corvids, and mammals. DEC’s Wildlife Health Program is monitoring the spread and impact of HPAI throughout the state and has an online reporting tool the public can use to report suspected HPAI mortalities: NYSDEC Avian Influenza Reporting Form. Updates on HPAI can be found on the Cornell Wildlife Health Lab website.

DEC advises the public to avoid any contact with sick or dead birds and mammals that may be infected with HPAI.

There is no way to contain HPAI infection in wild birds. Be aware that the clinical signs for HPAI infection in wildlife are nonspecific and may be similar to other diseases or injuries. Waterfowl, waterbirds, raptors, and scavenging birds are at higher risk of infection, but any species could potentially be infected, including mammals. HPAI-infected birds may be asymptomatic or may exhibit signs of respiratory distress (sneezing or nasal discharge), lethargy, neurologic malfunction (ataxia, stargazing, or seizures), diarrhea, weakness, or sudden death.

State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald said, “While avian influenza continues to affect wildlife, the risk to humans remain low. New Yorkers can stay safe by avoiding contact with sick or dead birds and animals and reporting anything unusual. We’re keeping a close eye on the situation and will continue to share updates as needed.”

State Agriculture Commissioner Richard A. Ball said, “The New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets, the Department of Health, and the Department of Environmental Conservation are working together to ensure an aggressive, coordinated, and proactive approach in response to outbreaks of HPAI across the nation. Our department’s proactive efforts to prevent the spread of HPAI, including implementing testing and import requirements for dairy cattle, remain in place. In addition, as we are in the midst of the migratory season, we encourage vigilance and remind our farmers to take precautionary measures with strong biosecurity practices on the farm.”

DEC staff response to a suspected HPAI mortality event depends on the specific event. Because the disease is widespread in wild birds and cannot be contained, strategic surveillance is the best approach. DEC prioritizes response to significant mortality events for waterfowl, shorebirds, gulls, crows, ravens, or any eagles or other raptors in counties where HPAI has not been detected. With the exception of larger events, sensitive locations, or vulnerable species, a physical response by staff is not necessary or likely in most cases.

Where DEC staff do not provide a physical response and removal is deemed necessary by the landowner, DEC advises landowners to use disposable gloves, a mask, and eye protection. Additionally, DEC advises against direct contact with the carcass or carcass fluids by recommending the use of a shovel and washing hands and clothing with soap and hot water immediately afterward. Carcasses disposed of in this way should be triple bagged (garbage or contractor bags) and put in an outdoor trash receptacle for trash pickup or deposited at a local landfill.

There is no treatment for HPAI, and transporting suspected HPAI-infected birds to wildlife rehabilitation facilities is discouraged to prevent the spread of the disease to other animals in care. Guidance has also been provided to licensed wildlife rehabilitators to help them minimize risks to animals in their care and to aid them in their interactions with the public.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that the recent HPAI detections in birds pose a low risk to the public. HPAI H5N1 has been detected in more than 70 humans in the U.S., including two mortalities; most of these cases involved close contact with infected domestic birds or cows. There is likely little risk for the public, but people with close or prolonged unprotected contact with infected birds or virus-contaminated environments, especially immunocompromised people, are at greater risk of infection. No human-to-human transmission of the virus has been documented.

Status of HPAI in New York State

Since it was first introduced into New York State in January 2022, HPAI has been documented in captive birds in multiple counties and detected in free-ranging wild birds and mammals throughout the state. Wild bird mortalities from HPAI increase in late fall and peak over the winter months, then typically decrease in the late spring and summer months. At this point, it is widespread in wild birds and even suspected to be present in counties where it has not yet been detected. Species of wild birds confirmed as infected in New York State commonly include Snow Goose, Canada Goose, swans, other waterfowl, Bald Eagle, Red-tailed Hawk, other raptors, crows, and shorebirds. Songbirds and other passerine birds do not appear to be highly susceptible to infection.

In addition to wild birds, HPAI has also been confirmed in red fox, striped skunk, Virginia opossum, raccoon, fisher, gray squirrel, muskrat, and bobcat in New York State, and in a wide range of mammals, particularly carnivores, in other parts of the U.S. In addition to domestic poultry, dairy cattle in other states have also been infected. 

In November and December 2025, DEC received 69 reports of suspect mortalities through its online reporting platform, and presumptive positive cases were detected in wild birds in 10 counties. With migration beginning, HPAI incidence may remain high through spring, particularly associated with the migration of large numbers of ducks and geese through the state.