After “reports of deceased birds being found across the county” in the midst of concerns about the spread of avian influenza, Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine shared tips this week from the the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) if you encounter this situation on your property.
Many of the reports made to the DEC were along the South Shore. In particular, dozens of dead birds were reported last week on a beach in Patchogue Shores in East Patchogue, including ducks, seagulls and a cormorant. Reports of dead birds have also come from Smith Point County Park, Mother’s Beach in Bellport and Shirley Beach in Shirley.
“In cases where DEC field staff cannot collect samples or carcasses from the landscape, please limit direct contact with dead wildlife and keep children and pets away,” said the County Executive.
“HPAI is caused by an influenza type A virus that is carried by free-flying waterfowl and other waterbirds such as ducks, geese, and shorebirds, but can also infect domestic poultry (chickens, turkeys, pheasants, quail, domestic ducks, geese, and guinea fowl), raptors, corvids (crows and ravens), and mammals,” according to the DEC. “Recently, there have been a number of cases in dairy cattle in several states. Some infected wild birds can carry these viruses without getting sick, but domestic poultry and many species of wild birds get sick and often die from these viruses. Songbirds and other passerine birds do not appear to be highly susceptible to infection.”
The DEC is warning the public to assume that dead birds may be contaminated, and provides the following guide to dispose of dead birds 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 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 of a deceased bird, call the DEC at 844.332.3267, or visit the DEC’s Website.
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