New York Confirms 5 Cases of Highly Pathogenic Bird Flu on Long Island

State officials say snow geese and two duck species have tested positive, with more dead birds awaiting testing.

Jan. 29, 2026 at 12:15pm

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The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) announced that it had five preliminary positive cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza, or bird flu, in Suffolk County on Long Island. According to the DEC, snow geese and two duck species have tested positive, while other birds, including crows and various raptors, are awaiting testing.

Why it matters

Bird flu is endemic to wild birds, and the state says there is no way to contain the infection in those animals. While bird-to-human transmission has been rare, the avian flu can spread through direct contact with infected animals or their secretions. This outbreak raises concerns about the potential impact on wildlife and the need for continued monitoring and precautions.

The details

The DEC says more dead birds across Long Island are awaiting testing. Clinical signs of bird flu may be similar to other diseases or injuries or nonspecific. Long Island dealt with a bird flu outbreak early last year that forced the culling of 100,000 ducks at one farm. While the overall public health risk remains low, the CDC says it has confirmed 71 cases and two deaths nationwide since 2024.

  • On January 29, 2026, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation announced the 5 preliminary positive cases of bird flu in Suffolk County.

The players

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC)

The state agency that announced the 5 preliminary positive cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza in Suffolk County.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

The federal agency that monitors bird flu infections in people and says the overall public health risk remains low.

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The takeaway

This outbreak highlights the ongoing challenges of containing the spread of bird flu in wild bird populations and the need for continued vigilance and precautions to protect public health, especially given the potential for rare but serious human cases.