140 wild birds in N.J. likely died from the bird flu. Here’s why that’s important.

While there have been no human cases reported in the state and no confirmed positive tests in birds since last year, New Jersey officials said they need to aggressively monitoring H5N1 avian influenza.

The disease, more commonly referred to as the bird flu, was last positively linked to the death of a wild bird in the Garden State in April 2024, according to the New Jersey Department of Health.

However, recent deaths in localized wild bird populations in parts of the state are under investigation, according to a joint release from the department, the DEP and the New Jersey Department of Agriculture.

The DEP said it suspects that avian influenza caused the death or sickness of more than 140 snow geese and Canada geese in Atlantic, Cape May, Cumberland, Salem and Warren counties since the end of December.

While their suspicions have not yet been confirmed, of these wild birds, 11 have non-negative testing results awaiting federal confirmatory testing to see if they did, in fact, die from bird flu.

Bird flu is a complex and evolving disease with significant impact to the poultry and dairy industries.

Since the beginning of the outbreaks in poultry and cattle, almost 135 million birds and more than 900 cattle herds have been affected nationwide.

A significant number of wild animals – such as raccoon, skunks, foxes and bobcats – as well as marine mammals and domestic cats have also died from the virus.

The department of agriculture said there have been no reported H5N1 cases in domestic poultry or livestock throughout 2024 and thus far this year.

“We continue to test backyard flocks and live bird markets on a constant basis as well as monitor what is happening nationally concerning this virus,” said Ed Wengryn, the state Department of Agriculture secretary. “Protection of our domestic poultry and livestock industry starts at home.”

The CDC has also confirmed mild cases in humans, and a fatal one in Louisiana in January 2025.

However, there have been no reports of human novel influenza cases, including H5N1 bird flu, in New Jersey as of Friday, the department of health reported.

Health officials said they want to keep things this way, but that people should still be wary.

“While we have not seen any person-to-person spread of H5N1, there have been cases nationally of human illness from the virus ranging from mild symptoms to severe,” New Jersey Health Commissioner Kaitlan Baston said in a statement. “The good news is that the current public health risk remains low. However, it’s important to understand your risks and take the necessary precautions to mitigate those risks.”

Baston said people whose jobs or hobbies potentially expose them to birds or other infected animals, or who eat undercooked or uncooked poultry, eggs, or raw milk could be at greater risk.

“Together with our state and federal partners, we continue to monitor the situation and are committed to ensuring the health and well-being of residents and workers in New Jersey,” she added.

Anyone who encounters sick or dead wild birds was asked to report their finding to the DEP hotline at 877-WARN-DEP (877-927-6337).