(BCHD26-051) Burlington County Health Department Info – H5N1 Bird Flu Reminders and Resources - February 19, 2026

Recently, there has been an increase in reports of sick and dead wild birds to NJ Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP), Division of Fish and Wildlife.  

Please note that the evaluation and decision to test dead birds is made by the NJDEP, not the County Health Department. 

Below are resources for the general public and municipalities:

Information for the Public

• The general risk to the public remains low. NJ does not have any reported human cases of H5N1 bird flu. People should avoid unprotected contact with sick or infected birds and other animals.
• Residents should be instructed to report sick and dead wild birds to NJDEP Division of Fish and Wildlife through their Wild Bird Disease Reporting Form- the reporting form can be accessed at the following link: https://dep.nj.gov/njfw/highly-pathogenic-avian-influenza/. Reports of sick and dead domestic poultry or livestock should be made to the New Jersey Department of Agriculture, Division of Animal Health: https://www.nj.gov/agriculture/divisions/ah/livestockhealth/avian_influenza.shtml
• NJDEP has additional information, including FAQs and information on recent detections in wild birds on their page as well
• NJDOH flyer “How to Avoid Contact with Bird Flu”: https://www.nj.gov/health/cd/documents/topics/Novel%20Flu/H5_Prevention_Flyer.pdf
• NJDOH flyer “H5N1 Bird Flu- Protect Yourself When Working with Wildlife”: https://www.nj.gov/health/cd/documents/topics/Novel%20Flu/H5N1_wildlife_workers_flier.pdf
• Information for Workers: English: https://www.nj.gov/health/cd/documents/topics/Novel%20Flu/Bird_Flu_Workers_English.pdf | Spanish: https://www.nj.gov/health/cd/documents/topics/Novel%20Flu/Bird_Flu_Workers_Spanish.pdf

 Burlington County Health Department Website: https://co.burlington.nj.us/2115/H5N1-Bird-Flu

·         Safe Disposal of Dead Birds: https://www.co.burlington.nj.us/DocumentCenter/View/21099/Safe-Disposal-of-Dead-Birds