Approximately 30 deceased Canada geese were recently discovered in the vicinity of Lake Ontario Park and Elevator Bay in Kingston, Ont. City officials are currently investigating the issue, noting observations of additional signs of illness amongst the area’s wild bird population.

Investigators have yet to confirm the cause of death. However, in a conversation with CBC News, Brian Stevens, a wildlife pathologist at Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative (CWHC), stated the birds were likely infected with avian flu. “Since we’ve had this highly pathogenic form of avian influenza here in North America, this is the typical event we see.”

Stevens added the sick birds toted clear warning signs of avian influenza. “They’ll have symptoms consistent with neurological signs, sometimes they will have seizures, sometimes they’ll be stumbling to walk, shaking their head, and just seem a little bit off.”

The CWHC is currently conducting tests on the birds, and the results will be known in approximately two weeks.

In the meantime, the city advises against handling sick, injured, or dead wild birds. If contact is unavoidable, gloves or a double plastic bag should be used, while taking precautions to avoid contact with blood, body fluids, and feces. To ensure the safety of pets, residents are encouraged to keep their cats indoors and dogs on a leash when outside.

Any sightings of distressed or deceased birds can be reported to the Ontario Regional Centre of the CWHC.