Several vultures in Hillsborough tested positive for avian influenza, prompting local officials to issue a warning to residents.
The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection’s Division of Fish and Wildlife confirmed the infections after finding the birds in a ravine near Wildflower Lane. The Hillsborough Health Department urged residents to avoid direct contact with wild birds, keep pets away from them and report unusual die-offs to the state hotline at 1-877-WARNDEP.
The risk to the general public remains low, but officials emphasize precautions to reduce exposure. Avian influenza, often called bird flu, spreads quickly among wild and domestic birds. The virus can kill flocks of poultry and has forced farmers across the country to cull millions of chickens and turkeys in recent years. While health experts say the strain detected in New Jersey poses little danger to people, they stress that handling sick or dead birds increases the chance of transmission.
New Jersey has tracked isolated cases of avian flu in recent years, mostly among waterfowl and scavenger species. Wildlife experts monitor the spread closely because the virus can threaten both agriculture and native bird populations.
Officials reminded residents not to feed wild birds or leave food scraps outside that attract them. Pet owners should keep dogs and cats from scavenging in wooded areas where sick birds may gather.
Residents can find more information on avian flu through the state’s Fish and Wildlife Division and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The New Jersey Digest is a new jersey magazine that has chronicled daily life in the Garden State for over 10 years.