New Yorkers Urged to Watch for Deadly Bird Flu as Winter Migration Peaks

ALBANY, NY (January 12, 2026) — The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation is warning residents to remain vigilant for signs of highly pathogenic avian influenza as wild bird mortalities from the virus are expected to increase in late fall and peak over the winter months.

Highly pathogenic avian influenza continues to infect birds and mammals across the United States and Canada, including New York State, according to the DEC.

“Under Governor Hochul’s leadership, DEC is taking a proactive approach with our coordinated effort to monitor potential signs of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in wild birds,” DEC Commissioner Amanda Lefton said. “We have a great web-based tool for the public to use to report any signs the viral disease is spreading to different areas of the state.”

The virus is carried by free-flying waterfowl and other waterbirds such as ducks, geese and shorebirds, but can also infect domestic poultry, raptors, corvids and mammals. The DEC’s Wildlife Health Program is monitoring the spread and impact of the disease statewide and provides an online reporting tool at the NYSDEC Avian Influenza Reporting Form. Updates are also available on the Cornell Wildlife Health Lab website.

The DEC advises the public to avoid any contact with sick or dead birds and mammals that may be infected with HPAI. Clinical signs in wildlife are nonspecific and may resemble other diseases or injuries. Infected birds may be asymptomatic or show respiratory distress such as sneezing or nasal discharge, lethargy, neurologic malfunction including ataxia, stargazing or seizures, diarrhea, weakness or sudden death.

Waterfowl, waterbirds, raptors and scavenging birds are at higher risk, though any species could potentially be infected, including mammals.

State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald said, “While avian influenza continues to affect wildlife, the risk to humans remain low. New Yorkers can stay safe by avoiding contact with sick or dead birds and animals and reporting anything unusual. We’re keeping a close eye on the situation and will continue to share updates as needed.”

State Agriculture Commissioner Richard A. Ball said, “The New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets, the Department of Health, and the Department of Environmental Conservation are working together to ensure an aggressive, coordinated, and proactive approach in response to outbreaks of HPAI across the nation. Our department’s proactive efforts to prevent the spread of HPAI, including implementing testing and import requirements for dairy cattle, remain in place. In addition, as we are in the midst of the migratory season, we encourage vigilance and remind our farmers to take precautionary measures with strong biosecurity practices on the farm.”

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that recent HPAI detections in birds pose a low risk to the public. HPAI H5N1 has been detected in more than 70 humans in the U.S., including two mortalities, most involving close contact with infected domestic birds or cows. No human-to-human transmission has been documented.

Since January 2022, HPAI has been documented in captive birds in multiple counties in New York State and detected in free-ranging wild birds and mammals throughout the state. Wild bird mortalities increase in late fall, peak over winter and typically decrease in late spring and summer. The disease is widespread in wild birds and suspected in counties where it has not yet been detected.

Confirmed infected species in New York include Snow Goose, Canada Goose, swans, other waterfowl, Bald Eagle, Red-tailed Hawk, other raptors, crows and shorebirds. Songbirds and other passerine birds do not appear highly susceptible.

HPAI has also been confirmed in red fox, striped skunk, Virginia opossum, raccoon, fisher, gray squirrel, muskrat and bobcat in New York State, as well as a wide range of mammals, particularly carnivores, elsewhere in the U.S. Domestic poultry and dairy cattle in other states have also been infected.

Cornell Wildlife Health Lab website.

In November and December 2025, the DEC received 69 reports of suspect mortalities through its online platform, with presumptive positive cases detected in wild birds in 10 counties. With migration underway, HPAI incidence may remain high through spring, particularly with large numbers of ducks and geese moving through the state.

This article was drafted with the aid of Grok, an AI tool by xAI, under the direction and editing of Robert Cox to ensure accuracy and adherence to journalistic standards.