Bird flu is now ‘widespread’ in Massachusetts, officials say

Bird flu is now believed to be widespread in Massachusetts and is likely present even in places where there has not been a confirmed positive, state environmental and health officials said Wednesday.

The Division of Fisheries and Wildlife, Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources, and Massachusetts Department of Public Health said Wednesday that the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) – more commonly known as bird flu – is suspected to be the cause of death in cases of both wild and domestic birds in several Massachusetts municipalities.

The agencies are advising the public to “refrain from handling birds or other animals that are dead or appear sick” and to report suspected cases.

“State officials are working with partners to test suspected cases and collaborating with municipalities to safely dispose of dead birds,” the agencies said in a news release Wednesday.

Officials said that while both wild and domesticated birds can become infected with HPAI, raptors (birds of prey), waterfowl and other aquatic birds are most at risk for infection, although any bird species should be considered susceptible.

“Birds may be infected with HPAI without showing any signs of illness,” said the news release. “Wild mammals, especially those that scavenge on birds, such as foxes, can also become infected.”

Officials also said that Massachusetts has had recurring incidents of HPAI since early 2022. In this particular case, an outbreak of HPAI is suspected of causing the death of Canada geese, swans, and other birds in Plymouth.

“Preliminary positive cases are being reported at other locations across the state,” officials said in the news release.

Tips for the public to deal with bird flu

According to officials, while humans are rarely infected with avian influenza viruses, people who have direct contact with animals infected with HPAI are the most at risk. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reports no known incidences of person-to-person spread and continues to categorize the risk to public health as low.

Massachusetts officials offered tips to reduce infection risk for the general public, including:

• Avoid handling birds and other wildlife: The public should strictly avoid handling wildlife, especially sick or dead birds or other animals.
• Keep pets safe: Dogs and other pets should always be leashed and away from wildlife. Cats are highly susceptible to HPAI and may die from an infection. Cat owners in affected areas should keep their pets indoors to prevent exposure to infected wildlife.
• Hunting: While eating wild game meat is generally considered safe, licensed hunters can minimize the risk of wildlife diseases by following best practices when handling and processing game.

People with questions about the public health impact of HPAI can visit the Department of Public Health’s Avian Influenza webpage or call the Division of Epidemiology at 617-983-6800.

Bird flu detected in other states

A bird flu outbreak was also discovered in California on Wednesday.

The newly reported H5N9 strain was found Monday at a duck farm in Merced County, California, according to the World Organization for Animal Health. The Paris-based organization that studies animal diseases said it’s the first verified U.S. case of H5N9 in poultry. The organization said the more common strain H5N1 was also found.

Additionally, a Long Island farm reportedly euthanized more than 100,000 ducks after a bird flu outbreak hit the eastern New York facility last week.

Crescent Duck Farm President Doug Corwin told local station WABC-TV that the mass euthanasia was particularly devastating as Long Island used to be known for its extensive duck farming industry and the business is the largest major commercial duck farm in Suffolk County.

The Georgia Department of Agriculture, along with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, also confirmed a positive case of bird flu in a commercial poultry operation located in Elbert County, Georgia on Jan. 17.

Officials issued a quarantine of all commercial poultry operations within a 6.2-mile radius of the facility and surveillance testing will be conducted for at least two weeks. All in-state poultry exhibitions, shows, swaps, meets and sales are suspended until further notice, the department said. 

“This is a serious threat to Georgia’s #1 industry and the livelihoods of thousands of Georgians who make their living in our state’s poultry industry,” Tyler Harper, state agriculture commissioner, said in a statement at the time. “We are working around the clock to mitigate any further spread of the disease and ensure that normal poultry activities in Georgia can resume as quickly as possible.”

Contributing: Mike Snider, Anthony Robledo & Janet Loehrke,

Gabe Hauari is a national trending news reporter at . You can follow him on X @GabeHauari or email him at Gdhauari@gannett.com.