'Strongly Consider' 20 Dead Birds On Long Island Beach Likely Had Bird Flu: DEC

LONG ISLAND, NY — The public should strongly consider the roughly 20 ducks, geese, and shorebirds found dead on a beach in East Patchogue had bird flu because Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza has been found in other birds in the area, the state's Department of Environmental Conservation said.

The agency, which is assessing a report from the location on Wednesday, said the public should follow Centers for Disease Control safety protocols to reduce contact.

Both Nassau and Suffolk counties have positive results for HPAI, and in recent weeks, prevailing winds have likely caused a larger number of shorebirds to wash ashore on Long Island’s south shore beaches; however, cases of HPAI are distributed throughout the region, according to the agency.

Patchogue Shores Vice President Tim Jones told Newsday that he saw the birds at a beach often used by community members near the end of Ocean Avenue and Shore Road.

Last month, Crescent Duck Farm in Aquebogue euthanized around 100,000 ducks after the virus was found there.

An online reporting system for possible observations of sick birds was subsequently launched on the DEC's website.

Once a report is received, DEC’s field response is guided by the report’s details, including the number of sick or dead birds.

The dead birds in East Patchogue only represent cases brought to DEC’s attention and collected by DEC staff, and the number of dead birds statewide is much higher, and testing is case-specific, the agency said.

State-wide in 2025, initial test results from Cornell University’s Wildlife Health Laboratory are presumptive positive for 128 birds in 37 counties, according to the agency.

Confirmation from the United States Department of Agriculture
National Veterinary Services Laboratories is pending.

Confirmed cases are listed on the department's website and shown on the United States Geological Survey map.

The state’s Cooperative Wildlife Health Program is monitoring the occurrence and impact of HPAI across the state.

Of particular interest are reports of suspected outbreaks in all species of waterfowl, raptors, crows, shorebirds, and other waterbirds such as gulls, loons, and herons, the DEC said.

The species are known HPAI vectors, particularly vulnerable to the disease, when testing can help DEC track HPAI prevalence on the landscape, according to the agency.

HPAI is widespread in wild birds and mammals, so not all reports will result in DEC retrieving the animals for testing and/or disposal, the agency said.

In the meantime, the public can help minimize risk and limit disease spread by preventing contact between domestic animals and wild birds.

In cases where DEC field staff are not responding to collect samples or carcasses from the landscape, the public should limit contact with dead wildlife and keep domestic animals away, according to the agency.

If removal of carcasses is deemed necessary, the public is reminded to wear disposable gloves, a mask, and eye protection, and to avoid direct contact with the carcass or carcass fluids by using a shovel and washing hands and clothing immediately after with soap and hot water.

Carcasses should be triple-bagged with garbage or contractor bags and placed in an outdoor trash receptacle.