Bird flu likely in 1 of 6 dead geese in Huntington's Heckscher Park, officials say

One of six geese found dead in and around Huntington's Heckscher Park in January is likely positive for  bird flu, the state Department of Environmental Conservation said on Wednesday. 

Tests to confirm the preliminary finding are being done at the USDA’s National Veterinary Services Lab, officials said.

HPAI, also known as bird flu, has been found in wild birds, domestic poultry, dairy cows and other mammals across the United States since 2022. The majority of the 71 human cases reported since 2022 have been found in people who work with poultry and dairy cattle, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which said the risk to public health remained low. Health officials have reported two people died from the disease in 2025, one in Louisiana and one from Washington state.

A large number of ducks, geese and shorebirds, along with raptors from Nassau and Suffolk counties have tested positive for bird flu since 2022. No human cases have been reported in New York.

Animals found with HPAI, which is highly contagious and causes severe illness, are euthanized because there is no treatment.

In January 2025, bird flu spread through the Crescent Duck Farm in Aquebogue, resulting in the euthanasia of 99,000 ducks. The farm reopened months later, after cleanup and quarantine measures, using 3,700 ducklings hatched from eggs not infected by HPAI.

According to Cornell Wildlife Health Lab,    bird flu has a "seasonal pattern tied to bird migration, with cases peaking in the late fall and winter."

Federal data shows six wild birds in Suffolk County have tested positive for bird flu since December.

People who see large groups of dead birds should take precautions and consider they could be positive for bird flu, the DEC said. They can file a report using the agency’s online form and get updates on the Cornell Wildlife Health Lab website.

By Lisa L. Colangelo

lisa.colangelo@newsday.com@lisalcolangelo

Lisa joined Newsday as a staff writer in 2019. She previously worked at amNewYork, the New York Daily News and the Asbury Park Press covering politics, government and general assignment.