Goose Deaths Prompt Bird Flu Cautions In Ocean County
Karen Wall,
Patch Staff
OCEAN COUNTY, NJ — Ocean County officials are urging residents to stay informed about the avian flu situation in New Jersey as clusters of sick and dead birds have been found across the state.
Reports of dead geese in Belmar and in Allentown in Monmouth County have prompted warnings from the Ocean County Health Department to be careful about potential exposure.
There have been seven confirmed cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza in Salem and Warren counties, with additional cases pending confirmation in nine counties.
While there have been no large clusters of dead birds in Ocean County in recent weeks, one hawk found in northern Ocean County is currently undergoing confirmatory testing for H5N1, the strain that has been spreading significantly, the health department said.
People who find sick or dead birds should not touch them or handle them, and unusual bird deaths or illnesses should be reported to local wildlife authorities or the New Jersey Department of Fish and Wildlife at 908-735-6398.
https://patch.com/new-jersey/tomsriver/goose-deaths-prompt-bird-flu-cautions-ocean-county