Last updated March 20, 2025
New Jersey Fish and Wildlife
Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza
NJDEP Fish & Wildlife has launched a new Wild Bird Disease Reporting form to monitor
highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in wild birds. Evidence suggests that HPAI is currently widespread in wild birds in New Jersey. If you see sick or dead birds, particularly groups of 5 or more dead birds, please report your finding below. All reports are reviewed by agency staff.
WILD BIRD DISEASE SIGHTING FORM
Report sick or dead birds using this
form
Background
Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) continues to infect wild birds and mammals across the US. Avian influenza is caused by an influenza type A virus that is carried by free-flying waterfowl, waterbirds, and shorebirds, but can also infect domestic poultry (chickens, turkeys, pheasants, quail, domestic ducks, geese, and guinea fowl), raptors, corvids, and mammals. Some infected wild birds can carry these viruses without getting sick, but domestic poultry and many species of wild birds, particularly raptors and corvids, can get very sick and often rapidly die from these viruses. Songbirds and other passerine birds do not appear to be highly susceptible to infection at this time. For prompt early detection, New Jersey DEP Fish and Wildlife focuses surveillance efforts on large mortality events in wild birds. At this time, we will not routinely test individual birds found dead but are focused on highly susceptible and imperiled wildlife species including bald eagles. Once the presence of the virus has been established in an area, additional testing may not be necessary.
Highly susceptible species include waterfowl (wild ducks, geese, swans), raptors (eagles, falcons, owls, hawks), scavengers (vultures, crows, ravens), gulls and other waterbirds. Songbirds, including cardinals and robins, are not considered to be highly susceptible to HPAI. Wild birds are susceptible to several diseases in addition to avian influenza including West Nile virus, mycoplasmosis, aspergillosis, and botulism, that can cause mortality. Wildlife mortality can be natural and not always due to an infectious disease. Wild birds, including waterfowl and shorebirds, are considered natural carriers of avian influenza. Since the beginning of the U.S. outbreak in January 2022, avian influenza has impacted wild and domestic birds in every state. Occurrences can be monitored here:
USDA APHIS | 2022 Detections of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza .
FAQ’s
What Agencies are Responding to the Outbreak?
On March 17, 2025, the
U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention declared that the ongoing nationwide HPAI outbreak is primarily an animal health issue that poses low risk to the health of the public. The three principal state agencies involved in monitoring and responding to avian influenza are NJDEP Fish & Wildlife, the New Jersey Department of Health, and the New Jersey Department of Agriculture, which provide the following updates:
The state maintains a comprehensive website with the latest information on HN51 avian influenza at:
https://www.nj.gov/H5N1/
What Do You Do if You See a Group of Sick or Dead Wild Birds?
Please fill out the
Wild Bird Disease Sighting Form .
How Do I Report Sick or Dead Domestic Birds?
If you are reporting sick or dead domestic poultry, please call the New Jersey Department of Agriculture Division of Animal Health at
(609) 671-6400.
What if I Have Questions About Human or Domestic Pet Health Due to HPAI?
If you have questions about human or domestic pet health due to HPAI, please direct your questions to your
local health department .
What are Disposal Options for Property Owners?
While NJ DEP Fish & Wildlife does not advise that the public handle sick or dead wildlife, if you have a dead bird on your property and are electing to dispose of the carcass, precautions should be taken:
- PPE should be worn, including gloves, a mask, and eye protection.
- Avoid direct contact between you and the animal by using a shovel to move the carcass.
- Double-bag each bird, close the bag using a zip-tie, and place in an outdoor trash bin inaccessible to pets and other wildlife.
- Following disposal, immediately wash your hands with soap and water and disinfect any non-disposable items using a diluted household bleach solution. Allow the disinfectant to sit on the item for 10 minutes before rinsing with warm water.
Residents can also contact their local municipality to inquire about animal control services or private wildlife control services able to dispose of dead wildlife.
Information for Hunters
Although highly pathogenic avian influenza is primarily a poultry disease, wild birds appear to play some role in its spread. Risk to hunters appears low, but there is no guarantee that there is no risk.
When Dressing Game Birds
- Always wear disposable gloves when handling or cleaning game and wash hands with soap and water immediately afterward. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
- Dress game birds in the field whenever possible.
- If you can’t dress birds in the field, clean them in a location away from poultry and other birds.
- Keep a separate pair of shoes to wear only in your game cleaning area. If this is not possible, wear rubber footwear and clean and disinfect your shoes before entering or leaving the area.
- Use dedicated tools for cleaning game, whether in the field or at home. Do not use those tools around poultry or pet birds.
- Double bag the offal and feathers. Tie the inner bag, take off your gloves, and leave them in the outer bag before tying it closed. Then wash your hands or use hand sanitizer.
Protecting Yourself
Although avian influenza viruses rarely infect people, you should still protect yourself. To reduce your risk:
- Do not eat, drink, or put anything in your mouth while cleaning or handling game.
- Avoid cross-contamination. Keep uncooked game in a separate container, away from cooked or ready-to eat foods.
- Cook game meat thoroughly. Poultry should reach an internal temperature of 165 °F to kill disease organisms and parasites.
Municipal Resources
Coming Soon
Additional Resources
The State of New Jersey | H5N1
USDA APHIS | Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI)
USDA APHIS | 2022 Detections of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza
USDA APHIS | Avian Influenza and Wild Birds
January 17, 2025 –
Murphy Administration Updates Public on Steps Being Taken to Track and Respond to H5N1 Avian Influenza
https://dep.nj.gov/njfw/highly-pathogenic-avian-influenza/
