The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation has announced a new online platform for the public to report suspected Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) outbreaks in wild birds was designed as part of an ongoing effort to monitor HPAI in New York.

Report an Observation of HPAI

HPAI is widespread in wild birds and mammals, so not all reports will result in DEC retrieving the animals for testing and/or disposal. The public can help minimize risk and limit disease spread by preventing contact between domestic animals and wild birds.

If you encounter a live, sick bird or mammal, contact your Regional DEC office or a local wildlife rehabilitator for guidance. Call ahead to make sure there is a wildlife rehabilitator or veterinarian willing to accept 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.

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).

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that recent HPAI detections in birds pose a low risk to the public. While there is likely little risk for the public, people with close or prolonged unprotected contact with infected birds or virus-contaminated environments are at greater risk of infection.

Kevin Hynes, a DEC Wildlife Biologist, recently answered some questions about HPAI on Facebook Live: 

• Should you remove your backyard birdfeeders?
• How to protect your backyard flock
• Tips for waterfowl hunters
• Watch the full Facebook Live

More information about HPAI, including how it is spread and which animals can be infected, is available on our Animal Diseases webpage and in the full press release.