Officials Warn Public To Use Caution In Handling Deceased Birds

SUFFOLK COUNTY, NY — Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine and Suffolk County Health Department officials have issued a warning, urging that residents use caution in handling deceased birds.

There have been reports of deceased birds being found across the county, officials said. To that end, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation has issued guidance for those who encounter dead birds on their property.

In cases where DEC field staff cannot collect samples or carcasses from the landscape, residents are asked to limit direct contact with dead wildlife and keep children and pets away.

To dispose of a dead bird safely, DEC provides the following guide:

- Wear disposable gloves, a mask, and eye protection, like safety glasses or goggles.

- Avoid direct contact with the carcass or carcass fluids by using a shovel or a garbage bag to pick up the bird.

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

- Remove and throw away your gloves. Wash your hands with soap and water immediately after removing gloves.

- Change your clothes and wash them after disposing of the bird.

- If you use a shovel, clean it with hot, soapy water and disinfect it with diluted bleach (1/3 cup bleach added to a gallon of water).

For additional information or to make a report, call the DEC at 844-332-3267.

Recently, officials said the public should consider the roughly 20 ducks, geese, and shorebirds found dead on a beach in East Patchogue had bird flu, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation said.

In other news, in Aquebogue, the Crescent Duck Farm, was recently shuttered and quarantined after an outbreak of avian influenza, which led to the culling of nearly 100,000 ducks.

But new hope was born recently as thousands of new eggs hatched — signaling the possibility of a future for the iconic business. Doug Corwin, owner of the farm, runs the business with his sons, Pierce W. Corwin and Blake Corwin.

Last week, Pierce, live production manager, confirmed with Patch that they "hatched out about 3.7K birds at an offsite hatchery and are now raising them offsite until we finish the cleaning process on our farm and have the quarantine lifted."

The plan, he said, "is to raise these ducks to maturity, have them breed and then, as we build up numbers, start producing again. Not a short process, as these birds won’t start producing eggs until six months from now," Pierce said.

Although workers at Crescent Duck Farm may have been exposed, H5N1 is not known to be transmitted from human to human at this time and the risk to public health remains low, officials said, when the outbreak was detected.

"The risk to public health is minimal, as the virus at this point is not transmissible among humans. A full investigation is underway because there is some potential for transmission of the H5N1 bird flu from the infected birds to individual farm workers, who had high-risk exposures," said Dr. Gregson Pigott, Suffolk County Health Commissioner.

H5N1 avian influenza has been detected in wild birds and poultry in New York since 2022. Since March 2024, the USDA has confirmed that cows on dairy farms in multiple states have tested positive for H5N1 avian influenza. The virus has been found in raw (unpasteurized) milk and secretions from the noses of cows on these farms.

To date, there have been no human cases of avian influenza and no detections in cattle in New York.

The announcement prompted reminders for commercial and hobby poultry farmers to increase their biosecurity measures to help prevent the spread of the H5N1virus.

To learn more about biosecurity measures, click here.

Gov. Kathy Hochul also announced New York State’s ongoing proactive measures to prevent the spread of the highly pathogenic avian influenza and facilitate early detection, particularly on New York farms.

Following the detection of HPAI in poultry on Crescent Duck Farm and in several wild and domestic birds at a learning center in Putnam County, the state is encouraging organizations in contact with wild birds to remain vigilant for signs of illness in their domestic animals. Farms are urged to practice biosecurity measures to prevent the spread of the virus.

"At my direction, New York State is continuing to monitor for HPAI and take proactive measures to keep our communities safe," Hochul said. "While the risk to public health remains low, I encourage all New Yorkers, especially individuals frequently in contact with poultry and wild birds, to remain vigilant and take the necessary steps to protect our state."

While both recent HPAI cases are under control and surveillance of surrounding farms continues, the state urged those involved in poultry production to take extra steps to prevent their flocks from becoming infected. All poultry producers, from small backyard to large commercial operations, should review biosecurity plans and take precautions to protect their birds.

In addition to practicing good biosecurity, poultry owners should keep their birds away from wild ducks and geese and their droppings, Hochul said. Outdoor access for poultry should be limited at this time, particularly as the state continues to see HPAI detections in wild bird populations.