Paul Bennett was among the first to notice something was wrong with Center Moriches waterfowl. A 30-year resident and frequent observer of area wildlife, Bennett grew concerned when a swan he recognized from daily walks wasn’t eating, then not in her usual places but instead sheltering by a tree near the creek headwaters.
A day later she was crashing into a bulkhead, swimming in circles that grew smaller as the hours passed, until, with a feeble flap of her wings, she died.
Returning to the spot where he’d first observed the swan, he found a dead heron. Then three ducks dead on the Canal Street boardwalk. A duck dead on the beach at Terrell County Park.
And no sign of injury to any of them. Three days later, the Crescent Duck Farm was closed, over 100,000 ducks euthanized, its premises quarantined. And Evelyn Alexander Wildlife Rescue Center received news of confirmed cases of avian influenza in waterfowl found in Sag Harbor and Westhampton Beach.
According to the New York State Department of Health (health.ny.gov), this strain of avian influenza, or “bird flu,” has been present throughout the United States since 2022, causing severe illness and death among wild and domestic birds such as chickens, ducks and turkeys. It can survive in wild birds like ducks, geese, and swans that migrate and infect other birds or mammals that have contact with them, or predators like raptors that consume them.
It is expelled through the animal’s nasal secretions and excrement or on surfaces such as clothing, shoes, tools or in water frequented by other sick birds. There is risk to mammals, including cows, companion animals such as cats and dogs, as well as humans that come into direct contact with the excretions, feces, or remains of sick or dead birds.
And the story is fluid. On Feb. 13, 2025, a report by Lena H. Sun in The Washington Post detailed how new findings scheduled in late January for inclusion in the CDC’s “Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report” were held back after federal agencies were told to “pause all external communications on Jan. 21.”
According to Sun’s report, “a delayed CDC report shows increased evidence of bird flu spread to people. Veterinarians who provide care for cattle were unknowingly infected last year.” Among the causes for concern: the exposure rate among those who had greater contact with infected animals are being infected at rates that aren’t being reported.
The new findings were abruptly pulled from the CDC “Morbidity and Mortality” report. According to The Washington Post, the revised report published in early February omitted new information about bird flu. Elsewhere, subsequent reports indicate CDC staff working on avian influenza have been dismissed.
Infectious disease experts are concerned that many more than the 68 known, confirmed cases in humans since 2024 are going undetected. Recently, the CDC tested 150 veterinarians who worked with dairy cattle and found three had been infected without knowing it. The three had worn protective items like gloves and masks, but not eye coverings,
A Kansas State University veterinarian is also advising cat owners to be aware of changes in their pet’s behavior and take precautions to keep them safe since both domestic and feral cats are among the mammals at risk from H5N1 virus (bird flu). Many have died. Sources of infection include consumption of raw foods, unpasteurized milk, contact with infected birds, livestock, as well as contaminated surfaces or with humans who handle infected birds, such as farm workers who bring home the virus on their clothing or shoes.
Symptoms include loss of appetite, seizures, fever, coughing, nasal discharge, pink eye, coughing, difficulty breathing, and blindness. Owners who observe any of these in their pet should contact their veterinarian immediately.
The New York State Department of Health and Suffolk County Health Department have maintained the risk to humans is low if they haven’t come into direct contact with infected animals. However, with flu cases at a 15-year high, on Feb. 3, Gov. Hochul issued an advisory to hospitals recommending testing for H5N1 within 24 hours of patients admitted for treatment to prevent undetected cases of avian flu. Live poultry markets around NYC were also closed for one week and ordered to disinfect after cases of bird flu were detected.
Until more is known, recommendations include updating your flu shot, avoid handling sick or injured wildlife, especially waterfowl, avoid giving pets free range to run off a leash which may give them contact with dead animals, refer any dead wild animals to the DEC, avoid walking in areas where there is bird excrement, avoid throwing dead animals into the creek or bay. Water is a vector for transmission.
For more information: NYS Department of Health health.ny.gov; NYDEC at dec.ny.gov
USDA aphis.usda.gov; American Veterinary Medical Association avma.org
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