This is what bird flu might look like — What’s Actually True? • Bird flu viruses have existed since the 1800s. • This newer bird flu strain, highly pathogenic avian influenza A (H5N1), has been circulating since the early 2020s. • Outbreaks in poultry have been documented worldwide. • Human cases, while rare, have occurred. • Scientists monitor strains closely because viruses can mutate. So why are so many birds dying on Long Island? We are currently seeing a significant increase in deceased wat