Bird flu seems to be widespread amongst birds in Massachusetts, state well being and environmental officers mentioned Wednesday.
The Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (MassWildlife), the Massachusetts Division of Agricultural Assets (MDAR) and the Massachusetts Division of Public Well being (DPH) mentioned chicken flu — also called extremely pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) — is suspected to be the reason for loss of life in instances of each wild and home birds in a number of Massachusetts municipalities.
“Proof means that HPAI is widespread in Massachusetts and is probably going current even in locations the place there has not been a confirmed optimistic,” the officers mentioned in a statement. “State officers are working with companions to check suspected instances and collaborating with municipalities to securely get rid of lifeless birds.”
On this file picture, duck eggs sit in a cooler at Crescent Duck Farm, in Aquebogue, N.Y., Oct. 29, 2014.
Julie Jacobson/AP
Raptors, waterfowl and different aquatic birds have the very best danger for an infection, however “any chicken species needs to be thought of inclined,” officers mentioned. Foxes and wild mammals that scavenge on birds are additionally in danger, officers mentioned.
The officers added that they’re “advising the general public to chorus from dealing with birds or different animals which might be lifeless or seem sick and report suspected instances.” Boston’s Emerald Necklace, a community for parks that runs all through town, posted several signs reminding residents to not contact, feed or take away birds from the parks.
There was a historical past of intermittent chicken flu outbreaks in Massachusetts since early 2022, officers mentioned. In early January, an outbreak of chicken flu was suspected of inflicting the loss of life of Canada geese, swans and different birds in Plymouth. Now, extra optimistic instances are being reported, officers mentioned.
On this 2015 file picture, chickens are seen in a contaminate farm whereas staff from the Animal Safety Ministry put together to cull them to include an outbreak of chicken flu, at a farm within the village of Modeste, Ivory Coast, Aug. 14, 2015.
Luc Gnago/Reuters
Officers advise that these with 5 or extra sick or deceased birds at a single location ought to report the incidents to MassWildlife. If somebody has livestock or poultry, officers advocate not sharing tools with different chicken house owners, avoiding pointless motion of poultry and isolating new birds for not less than one month earlier than including to a pre-existing flock.
Delivery flu has been inflicting outbreaks in poultry and dairy cows within the U.S. with current human instances amongst poultry and dairy staff uncovered to the contaminated animals.
Human instances have been recognized throughout the nation since April 2024, with 67 confirmed in 10 states as of Monday, in line with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Most human instances have been delicate with sufferers totally recovering. To this point, simply one death has been recorded in Louisiana in a affected person over the age of 65 who had underlying medical circumstances.
The CDC and different public well being officers say there’s presently no proof of human-to-human transmission and the danger to most people is low.
