Thanks to Linda Mack for posting the State reporting form for avian influenza.
This disease has been around for several years but perhaps stress from the recent weather has contributed to more visibility this winter.
For example there has been an outbreak among Canada Geese locally (NW Burlington County.
I did some googling about it; here are some links.
"People who are at higher risk of infection include people with close or prolonged contact with infected birds or other infected animals or contaminated environments. Those with job-related or recreational exposures are at greater risk of getting sick with avian influenza A viruses. Other things can impact whether people get very sick from bird flu, including older age, delayed medical care, and/or underlying medical conditions. “
"Besides waterbirds, the next most frequently seen wild birds with HPAI-related morbidity and mortality are crows and raptors, but any bird can become sick with avian influenza….Wild carnivores, such as foxes, bobcats and other wild felines, skunks, fishers, mink and even marine mammals such as seals have all been documented to get sick and die from avian influenza.
Felines, both wild and domestic, appear particularly susceptible to severe disease and death from this virus. Tragically, a wildlife sanctuary in Washington lost over half of their big cats to HPAI in December 2024.”
