Bird flu suspected as dead geese are found at multiple parks across New Jersey, officials say

Large numbers of dead or dying geese have been found at parks across New Jersey in recent days.

No cause was confirmed, but the Monmouth County Park System said in a statement on Tuesday that Avian flu, commonly known as the bird flu, is suspected. The park system is working with state wildlife biologists to assess the extent of the possible outbreak. The county did not confirm the location of the deceased birds.

In Somerset County, dead geese were found near the Environmental Education Center off Lord Stirling Road in Basking Ridge and Duke Island Park off Old York Road in Bridgewater. County officials did not say how many birds were found.

In Hainesport in Burlington County, officials said multiple sick or dead geese were found in the area. The town’s environmental commission is currently in communication with the state about the deaths.

The borough of Pitman in Gloucester County also issued a statement, saying that two parks — Betty Park and Alcyon Park — were closed due to the discovery of dead geese.

“These presumed cases indicate that the virus is actively circulating in wildlife or domesticated birds, leading to monitoring and preventative actions to control the spread,” the Gloucester County Department of Health said in a statement.

The agency said the risk of human infection from the virus requires a quick response.

News12 New Jersey reported on Tuesday that drone video showed sick and dying geese around bodies of water in Monmouth County.

The bird flu, formally named Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (H5N1), is a respiratory disease of birds caused by Influenza A viruses. The virus is carried by wild birds such as ducks, gulls and shorebirds, according to the state Department of Environmental Protection. The virus can kill domestic poultry including chickens, turkeys, ducks and geese. The animals carrying the virus may show no signs of illness.

Officials are asking anyone who sees sick or dead birds to keep their distance and call 877-WARN-DEP.