Dead geese have been found at Kennedy Park in Sayreville, New Jersey, amid a growing bird flu outbreak in the state. The Parks Department has taped off the area near the boat ramp where the geese were located as authorities investigate the cause of their deaths.
The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and Middlesex County Department of Health have been notified, and an investigation is ongoing with assistance from county and state agencies. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has been monitoring the outbreak, which has affected over 157 million domestic poultry and nearly 1,000 dairy cows since it was detected in 2022.
The bird flu is primarily linked to the rising cost of eggs, as the disease disrupts poultry farming operations. A recent case was confirmed at a live bird market in Union County, marking the first positive case in New Jersey since 2023. The risk of transmission to humans remains low, but individuals working at the market are being assessed for potential exposure.
The OEM advises caution when visiting parks or densely populated areas with birds and reminds the public not to handle sick or dead wild birds. To report concerns, contact the DEP’s Fish and Wildlife hotline at 1-877-WARNDEP.
Source: https://eu.mycentraljersey.com/story/news/local/middlesex-county/2025/02/26/why-were-geese-found-dead-at-a-sayreville-park/80290821007