Bird flu now considered ‘widespread’ in Mass., officials say – Boston.com
By Dialynn Dwyer Massachusetts officials announced Wednesday that bird flu is now considered to be “widespread” in the state and urged the public to avoid handling birds or other animals that are dead or appear sick. In a joint statement, environmental and public health officials said that the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) H5N1 virus is suspected to be the cause of death in both wild and domestic birds in several Massachusetts municipalities. The state has seen recurring incidents of the virus since early 2022, and earlier this month, officials said it was likely the cause of death for dozens of geese, swans, and other birds in Plymouth. Between 500 and 1,000 wild bird deaths suspected to be from the avian flu have been reported, though the real numbers are likely higher, officials said during a press briefing per The Boston Globe. It is the state’s largest outbreak of the virus, according to the newspaper. “Evidence suggests that HPAI is widespread in Massachusetts and is likely present even in places where there has not been a confirmed positive,” officials said in a statement. “State officials are working with partners to test suspected cases and collaborating with municipalities to safely dispose of dead birds.”According to the state, both wild and domesticated birds can become infected with avian flu, with raptors, waterfowl, and aquatic birds at most risk. Birds can be infected without showing signs of illness, and animals who scavenge the sick birds can also become sick. Cats are highly susceptible to the illness, so officials are urging anyone with cats in an affected area to keep their felines indoors to prevent exposure and keep dogs leashed and away from wildlife. Avian flu has been spreading for years in wild birds, and it was confirmed in dairy cattle in the U.S. in March 2024. Outbreaks have occurred at farms in other states, and the spread of the virus has forced farmers to kill millions of chickens, leading to soaring egg prices since last summer with the drop in supply. High levels of the virus have also been found in raw milk produced at farms experiencing an outbreak. Health officials have urged people to avoid drinking raw milk, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture has increased its testing of raw milk across the country.The virus can be contracted by humans, and people who have direct contact with animals infected with H5N1 are at the highest risk of being infected. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nationally there have been 67 human cases of bird flu, and earlier this month, a person in Louisiana died after contracting the virus. Officials have said the person, who was older than 65 and was infected by sick and dead birds in a backyard flock, had underlying medical problems. There is no reported person-to-person transmission of the virus, and no human cases have been diagnosed in Massachusetts.Catherine Brown, the state epidemiologist for Massachusetts, said during a press briefing that the flu is “an animal virus right now,” according to the Globe.“We feel like awareness is the right approach as opposed to alarm,” she said. “While the current H5N1 avian flu has had significant impacts on dairy cattle, domestic birds, and wild birds in the US, avian flu viruses very rarely infect humans.”The virus also has not reached New England cattle herds, and officials are emphasizing that “meat and pasteurized milk are safe to consume,” according to the Globe. Poultry owners are being urged to try and prevent wild birds from mixing with or having contact with domestic flocks. Officials are asking anyone who comes across sick or dead birds to report the suspected cases to the state. Information from the Associated Press was used in this report. Sign up to receive the latest headlines in your inbox each morning.Be civil. Be kind.©2025 Boston Globe Media Partners, LLC
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