ITHACA, N.Y. (WHCU) – Suspected bird flu in Ithaca.

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) began investigating suspicious pheasant deaths Monday at Reynolds Game Farm, located on Game Farm Road near Cornell University. Officials say initial test results show a suspected outbreak of the H5N1 Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) virus. The DEC is working with the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets (AGM) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Veterinary Services Laboratory to determine the next steps at the farm.

The CDC says bird flu doesn’t present an immediate public health concern to humans, as the risk of infection is low. HPAI cases in humans are rare and typically come with mild symptoms. DEC officials say Reynolds Game Farm “employs rigorous biosecurity protocols, including fencing and overhead netting to prevent large birds like hawks, owls, ducks, geese, and gulls from getting into the pens,” and that staff conducts regular disease surveillance.

DEC officials say they’ll continue to partner with AGM and USDA for a “swift and thorough response to the suspected outbreak.”