There have been outbreaks of waterfowl mortalities associated with HPAI in Delaware and PA, notably in snow geese. Some snow geese have been found sick or dead along Delaware Bay, and as they increase in numbers in NJ, we could see more of that.
Animal Control Officers/Wildlife volunteers need to watch for, and report, incidents of 5 or more dead waterfowl to the DEP Hotline, 1-877-warn-dep.
We may be asked to pick up dead birds if there is a mass die-off, for the purpose of keeping eagles from eating carcasses. However, anyone picking up sick or dead waterfowl should take precautions including latex gloves, face mask, double-bagging carcasses, and wearing rubber boots that can be disinfected. For more information, https://www.cdc.gov/bird-flu/situation-summary/index.html