BETHLEHEM, Pa. — State officials on Tuesday said hundreds of snow geese have died at a Lower Nazareth Township quarry, possibly from avian influenza.
“The Pennsylvania Game Commission is coordinating a response to this incident that includes safe removal, testing and disposal of these birds,” officials said in a news release.
Anyone who encounters sick or dead wild birds can report them to the state Game Commission by calling 1-833-PGC-WILD (1-833-742-9453), and any sick or dead domestic birds to the state Department of Agriculture at 717-772-2852.State Game Commission release
While the total number is undetermined, officials said think 400 snow geese were affected, Travis Lau, communications director with the state Game Commission, said.
The sick birds were reported to the Game Commission on Friday, Lau said.
Anyone who encounters sick or dead wild birds can report them to the state Game Commission by calling 1-833-PGC-WILD (1-833-742-9453), and any sick or dead domestic birds to the state Department of Agriculture at 717-772-2852, according to the release.
If residents have contact with sick or dead birds and are not feeling well, they should contact their primary care physician or the state Department of Health at 877-724-3258.
A sharp resurgence
Bird flu, also called HPAI, or highly pathogenic avian influenza or H5N1, is caused by an influenza type A virus and is highly contagious and often fatal in birds.
Clinical signs of infection in wild birds often are non-specific, officials said, but might include neurologic dysfunction such as circling, head tilting and difficulty flying.
“In Pennsylvania, there was a sharp resurgence of HPAI cases in wild birds in late 2024 and early 2025. Impacts tailed off after several weeks, though the virus continued to be detected at lower levels.”Pennsylvania Game Commission
While some wild bird species can carry the virus without becoming sick, HPAI has affected both wild waterfowl as well as domestic poultry species since 2022 across the United States.
“In Pennsylvania, there was a sharp resurgence of HPAI cases in wild birds in late 2024 and early 2025,” officials said.
“Impacts tailed off after several weeks, though the virus continued to be detected at lower levels.”
Bird flu in the Valley
In early January, about 200 snow geese died in Lower Nazareth and Upper Macungie townships from the disease.
Later that month, the total grew to 5,000, causing officials to describe the Valley as “the epicenter of resurgence of HPAI in Pennsylvania.”
Local cases caused the Lehigh Valley Zoo to pull barnyard birds, waterfowl and penguins off exhibit, and regional healthcare providers prepped for human cases.
The virus jumped from birds to mammals in the Lehigh Valley in May 2023, when a red fox became the first mammal in the region infected.
In November of last year, state agriculture officials mandated Pennsylvania dairies to bulk test for avian influenza.
While the current risk to humans is low, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there have so far been 71 cases and two deaths.
“People can help safeguard themselves against HPAI by always viewing wildlife from a safe distance, avoiding contact with wild birds or their feces and not handling wildlife unless you’re hunting, trapping or otherwise authorized to do so,” officials said in the release.
For more information, go to the state Game Commission’s website.
