Bird flu suspected in geese in Pitman, New Jersey, among latest cases in state; parks closed

A New Jersey town has closed two adjacent parks, and health officials across the state are on high alert after multiple suspected cases of H5N1 bird flu.

Dead Canadian geese near Alcyon Lake in Pitman are being called presumed cases of the avian flu, and there are other similar presumed cases around Gloucester County, according to local officials.

Andrew Halter of the Gloucester County Office of Emergency Management said hazmat units were called out to the lake Tuesday morning for reports of sick and dying geese. With no exact count, Halter estimated there were "several dozen" dead geese, and possibly as many as 50-75.

"There were some specimens collected from the area around Alcyon Park of deceased geese. Right now, we saw a rather large quantity of them," Halter said. "It is presumed at this point that these birds could be infected with the avian flu virus, but that won't be determined until testing comes back conclusive on that."

Other geese that were still alive were experiencing distress, Halter said.

Pitman says Alcyon Park and Betty Park along the lake are closed until further notice as a precaution.

Emergency management officials believe the virus is actively circulating in wild or domesticated birds and are increasing their monitoring of birds to more quickly identify any further cases.

About 5-6 municipalities in Gloucester County have reported "an abundance of dead geese," ranging in number from four to a dozen, Halter said in a news conference Wednesday. 

Veterinary inspectors from the U.S. Department of Agriculture took samples from some of the dead birds in Pitman on Tuesday, and those samples are being analyzed, Halter said.

The testing could take several days to several weeks.

According to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, more than 1,100 dead or sick wild birds have been reported statewide between Saturday, Feb. 14, and Monday, Feb. 16.

Sick and dead geese have also recently been spotted in Hainesport, Burlington County, according to a Facebook post. Photos from the Swimming River Reservoir in Monmouth County show several sick and dying geese on a layer of ice.

"While the current public health risk for the general public is low, the best way to protect yourself and your family from bird flu is to avoid sources of exposure," Gloucester County Health Officer Annmarie Ruiz said.

Officials shared these tips to stay safe:

• Don't touch sick or dead animals or their droppings, and don't bring sick wild animals into your home.
• Don't let your pets near sick or dead animals or their droppings.
• Wash your hands frequently.
• If you have a bird feeder, keep it in an area of your property that you don't visit frequently, to minimize the risk of stepping in infected bird droppings.
• If you're exposed or if you work on a farm where bird flu has been detected, watch for symptoms for 10 days.
• Stay home and away from others if you develop symptoms.

Officials are also asking everyone to keep a watchful eye out for sick or dead birds. 

You can report sightings to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection online or by phone at 1-877-WARN-DEP, or call your local animal control.

Earlier this year, bird flu was detected in a poultry flock in Kent County, Delaware, officials said.

What is bird flu and what are the symptoms?

Bird flu is mostly found in poultry, according to NJDEP. Birds infected with the virus may exhibit symptoms common to colds and flu in humans or may have no apparent symptoms before dying from the disease.

There are also neurological signs like tremors and seizures.

In humans, bird flu can cause pink eye, fever, coughing, sore throat, runny nose, muscle aches, headaches and fatigue. The CDC's website says eye redness, also known as conjunctivitis, has been the most common symptom in recent U.S. cases.

The New Jersey Health Department has more tips to prevent the disease from spreading.