The Ulster County Department of Health has confirmed a case of bird flu at a local farm.

The department says the virus spread to nearly 50 chickens and ducks on the farm, causing them to die. Any remaining birds were euthanized following recommendations from the state Department of Agriculture to prevent further spread.

Human contact with the infected birds was limited to the farm owners and veterinarians.

Residents are urged to report any birds demonstrating severe illness or die-offs in backyard poultry to the New York State Department of Agriculture or to a local veterinarian.

The state Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) on Thursday launched a new digital form to report suspected cases in wild birds. DEC will use the information to monitor HPAI in New York. 

Click here for the reporting form.

New Yorkers can minimize the risk of spreading the bird flu by preventing contact between domestic animals and wild birds, it said.