Wallkill, NY - Preliminary testing has confirmed that several dead birds found in Orange County were infected with avian influenza, according to state officials.

In recent weeks, residents reported dead crows and other birds in and around the Town of Wallkill. Phillip Pantuso of the Times Union says the state’s early findings point to bird flu.

“There were some reports in recent weeks about a number of dead birds including dead crows that were showing up in and around Wallkill in Orange County,” Pantuso said. “And what we're reporting is that preliminary tests obtained by the Department of Environmental Conservation show that those were positive for avian influenza, which is a highly contagious pathogen that can really re-cadic on wild birds and poultry.”

Avian influenza, often called bird flu, spreads easily among wild birds and domestic flocks. But Pantuso says the risk to people remains low.

“As for how worried we should be, I don't think too worried. It's quite rare that it can be passed to humans,” he said.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 71 human cases of bird flu have been confirmed nationwide over the past two years, resulting in two deaths. As of Jan. 30, eight cases had been identified in New York state.

Pantuso notes that outbreaks among birds are not unusual in the region.

“It’s also not that unusual for bird flu to be circulating in bird communities, I guess, in the Hudson Valley and Catskill and further their upstate New York,” he said.

The virus can be devastating for farms. In January of last year, about 50 chickens and ducks died from avian influenza at a poultry farm in Ulster County.

“It’s really more of a problem for poultry and dairy farmers because usually what you have to do is you have to eradicate your whole flock if it starts circulating,” Pantuso said.

State environmental officials continue to monitor the situation. Residents are advised not to handle dead birds and to report sightings to the Department of Environmental Conservation.