State wildlife officials believe avian influenza is to blame for the deaths of about 200 snow geese found Monday in two locations near Allentown.

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources is monitoring the suspected presence of bird flu, also known as highly pathogenic avian influenza, in the state. In recent months, the virus has been detected in several states,

Waterfowl recently found dead in several Northeast Ohio counties are presumed to have been infected with bird flu and samples of their remains are now being tested for the disease.