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⚠️ Emergency Alert 03-25-2025: Please note, Seneca Road on the Colony side of Rts 5 & 20 will be closed Wednesday 3/26 and Thursday 3/27 while contractors work on the water line replacement project.
Notice 02-12-2025 : The American Flag at the Town Hall is not flying due to a break in the flagpole mechanism. A new flagpole will be installed as soon as the weather breaks.

NY DEC Avian Flu Update

Avian influenza (AI) is a viral disease in wild birds such as ducks and geese, gulls, raptors, and shorebirds that is commonly called “bird flu.” Some AI viruses are more severe than others and can also affect domestic gamebirds and poultry like chickens, turkeys, and other birds. Those that cause severe disease in poultry are called Highly Pathogenic AI (HPAI) viruses.  These viruses can spread quickly in affected flocks.

In early 2022, HPAI was detected in wild birds across several eastern states. In February 2022, the first case of HPAI in New York was found in Suffolk County. At present, HPAI has been detected across the entire country including much of New York State.  Some infected wild birds carry the virus without getting sick, which allowed the virus to continue to circulate in bird populations. Mammals, especially carnivores and scavengers that may eat infected animals have become ill and died from HPAI. Dairy cattle in some states have also had HPAI detected. The USDA tracks all detections across the country and offers guidance on how to Defend the Flock. 

NYSDEC is working with the NYS Department of Agriculture & Markets, U.S. Department of Agriculture, NYS Department of Health, and the Cornell Wildlife Health Lab to monitor HPAI in New York.

The U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention states that HPAI detections in birds pose a low risk to the public. There have been a number of human cases in the United States, mostly associated with infections in dairy cattle or poultry, and one human mortality attributed to contact with birds. Hunters and people consuming wild game birds have a low risk of becoming infected, but you can protect yourself by only harvesting game that appears healthy. Cook any game meat to an internal temperature of 165° F, which kills the virus. If you handle live or dead wild birds, particularly waterfowl, gulls, and raptors, you should use personal protective equipment like masks, gloves, eye protection, and rubber boots (cleaned after use). Wash your hands thoroughly when finished. 

Of particular interest are reports of suspected outbreaks in all species of waterfowl (like ducks or geese), raptors (such as hawks and eagles), crows, shorebirds, and other waterbirds such as gulls, loons, and herons.  Responses to these reports will be guided by the number of dead birds, bird species, and new areas where we have not documented HPAI yet. Once HPAI is on the landscape, there is currently no way to effectively manage this disease in wild birds. In most cases, there will be no direct response.

DEC advises the public to avoid any contact with sick or dead birds and mammals that may be infected with HPAI. People can minimize the risk of spreading HPAI by preventing contact between sick or dead wildlife and domestic animals.

In cases where DEC field staff are not responding to collect samples or carcasses from the landscape, please limit direct contact with dead wildlife and keep children and pets away. To dispose of a dead bird safely:

  • 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 used 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 more information about the risk of HPAI to humans, visit the NYS Department of Health website. 

If you encounter a live, sick bird or mammal, contact your Regional DEC office or a local wildlife rehabilitator for guidance. There is no treatment for HPAI in birds, so the only option for wildlife rehabilitators is humane euthanasia. Call ahead to make sure there is a wildlife rehabilitator or veterinarian willing to accept and euthanize the animal, as accepting these animals may put other animals in the facility at risk. Do NOT handle, transport or euthanize any sick birds or other wildlife yourself.