Huntington Residents Warned: Dead Geese Near Heckscher Park Raise Avian Flu Fears

A half-dozen geese found dead in and near Heckscher Park in Huntington this month are being tested for possible avian influenza, according to a post on the Town of Huntington's Facebook page. The town said official lab results may not be available for as much as a month. Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza, commonly called bird flu, was first identified in New York in 2022. The disease most often infects wild water fowl such as geese and ducks but also can also infect raptors, corvids (ravens and crows) and mammals, according to the state Department of Environmental Conservation. Songbirds do not appear to be very susceptible, the state says. The disease can be passed to domestic birds such as chicken and even to cattle. Occasionally humans who have had direct contact with an infected animal — usually farmworkers at chicken or diary facilities — can be infected. Severe illness is not common, according to the state Department of Health. There have been no known cases of bird flu in humans in New York, the agency said. "While avian influenza continues to affect wildlife, the risk to humans remain low," state Health Commissioner James McDonald said in a statement earlier this month. "New Yorkers can stay safe by avoiding contact with sick or dead birds and animals and reporting anything unusual." Symptoms include sneezing or nasal discharge, lethargy, neurologic problems such as stargazing or seizures, diarrhea and weakness. The disease generally peaks in the winter months, according to the DEC. There is no treatment. Experts advise that people should not touch a dead bird and to keep pets away as well. If it’s necessary to move a bird, wear gloves and a mask. If residents find a dead bird, the town of Huntington asks that they call the town's animal control at 631-754-8722.