Five wild birds from Westchester County have tested “presumed positive” for avian flu. None were from Rye — even though several swans have been discovered dead recently.
The infected birds came from areas across the county: A red-shouldered hawk from Katonah, a Canada goose from Mamaroneck, two more Canada geese from Thornwood, and a bald eagle from Purdys, according to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC).
While DEC did not disclose the number of dead birds reported to them, they did confirm that they tested three mute swans from Rye for avian flu. None of those swans tested positive, a DEC spokesperson told The Record.
In total, nine birds from Westchester were submitted to DEC for testing between Jan. 25 and Feb. 3.
The initial “presumptive” positive test results come from Cornell University’s Wildlife Health Laboratory, which works in conjunction with DEC as part of the New York Wildlife Health Program.
The lab at Cornell can only report results as “non-negative.” Those samples then get sent to the National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL) for confirmation. And confirmation from the NVSL is still pending for the presumed positive samples from Westchester.
Nevertheless, the dead swans spotted around Rye have been a cause for concern.
The first sighting came in early February when a Rye resident posted on the Facebook group Rye Moms about a sick or injured swan in her driveway. “Panicked I tried to find who to call in the city to come check on him but sadly he passed away within minutes,” the resident wrote on Feb. 5.
Later, the resident reported the incident to DEC.
DEC called her back to say that they found several more dead swans, suspected of avian flu, in the area, the post added. They would call again with the test results.
On Wednesday, the agency emailed the resident, who wished to remain anonymous, that they were still awaiting test results on the swans found near her.
A second dead swan was reported on Kirby Lane on Feb. 25 by another member in the same Facebook group; a third member reported a sick swan on Manursing Way on Tuesday.
The Rye Police Department has received one call regarding a sick bird since Jan. 1., according to police Lt. Michael Anfuso, who told The Record that Rye PD would contact the local DEC office in cases of sick or dead birds.
If DEC does not respond to collect the carcasses, they contact the city’s Department of Public Works to dispose of them safely, Anfuso said.
In total, more than 166 million birds have been affected by the avian flu virus, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention CDC. This number includes all birds that have been infected, died due to the virus, or culled as a preventative measure.
Photos courtesy Rye Moms Facebook page
In chickens specifically, the virus has a mortality rate of nearly 100%.
CDC has reported 70 human infections nationwide since April 2024.
Although the risk of avian flu remains low and no human cases have been identified in New York state, the county Health Department urged residents to take precautions in a Feb. 3 press release.
Gov. Kathy Hochul ordered the temporary closure of all live bird markets across New York City, Westchester, Suffolk and Nassau counties between Feb. 7 and Feb. 14 as facilities underwent thorough disinfection procedures.
The announcement came after the detection of avian flu at seven live bird markets in Queens, the Bronx, and Brooklyn.
What is the Avian Flu?
There are two classifications of avian influenza (H5N1) — low pathogenic (LPAI) and high pathogenic (HPAI). “Pathogenic” refers to the ability of the virus to cause disease.
The current outbreak can be traced to January 2022, when the first HPAI H5N1 virus infection in wild birds in the U.S. since 2016 was reported by the Department of Agriculture.
The infection can spread through saliva, nasal secretions, and feces. Surfaces that are contaminated with the virus can also spread the infection. In backyard flocks and pet birds, symptoms of HPAI can manifest as the following, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA):
- Sudden death with no prior signs
- Low energy or appetite
- Purple discoloration or swelling of various body parts
- Reduced egg production, or soft-shelled/misshapen eggs
- Nasal discharge, coughing, or sneezing
- Lack of coordination
- Diarrhea
HPAI viruses also have been detected in a variety of wild of domestic mammals in the U.S., including dairy cattle and cats, according to the AVMA.
Humans who are most at risk are those who work with poultry, waterfowl, and dairy cows.
What to Do if You Find a Sick or Dead Bird
Avoid any contact with a sick or dead bird or mammal — you can also minimize the risk of spreading HPAI by preventing contact between domestic animals and sick or dead wildlife.
You can report a dead bird sighting to the DEC through a form on their website. In certain cases, DEC staff will collect the birds and deliver them to the DEC’s lab in Delmar or to the Wildlife Health Lab at Cornell University. Cornell can only report the results as “non-negative,” according to the DEC spokesperson, and then the “non-negative” swabs are forwarded to the National Veterinary Services Laboratory (NVSL) for confirmation.
If removal of carcasses is deemed necessary, and DEC field staff are not responding, DEC advises the public to wear disposable gloves, a mask, and eye protection. To avoid direct contact with the carcass or carcass fluids, it is necessary to use a shovel and wash hands and clothing immediately after with soap and hot water. Carcasses should be triple-bagged (garbage or contractor bags) and placed in an outdoor trash receptacle.
