According to officials, bird flu is now a widespread issue in the United States

Boston.com

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.
Birds can be infected without showing signs of illness, and animals who scavenge the sick birds can also become sick.
Avian flu has been spreading for years in wild birds, and it was confirmed in dairy cattle in the U.S. in March 2024.
Poultry owners are being urged to try and prevent wild birds from mixing with or having contact with domestic flocks.
Report domestic birds: The public should report sick or dead poultry or other domestic birds by calling the Mass.

NEGATIVE

On Wednesday, officials in Massachusetts declared that bird flu is now “widespread” throughout the state and advised people not to handle dead or sick-looking birds or other animals.

Several Massachusetts municipalities have reported that the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) H5N1 virus is suspected of killing both domestic and wild birds, according to a joint statement from public health and environmental officials. The virus has been causing recurrent outbreaks in the state since early 2022, and officials said earlier this month that it was probably the reason why dozens of Plymouth geese, swans, and other birds died.

During a press briefing, officials stated that between 500 and 1,000 wild bird deaths thought to be caused by the avian flu have been reported, although the actual numbers are probably higher, according to The Boston Globe. The newspaper claims that this virus outbreak is the biggest in the state.

In Massachusetts, HPAI is likely present even in areas where a confirmed positive has not been found, according to evidence, officials said in a statement. “State representatives are coordinating with municipalities to properly dispose of dead birds and testing suspected cases with partners. “”.

The state says that avian flu can infect both wild and domesticated birds, with aquatic birds, raptors, and waterfowl being the most vulnerable. Animals that scavenge sick birds may also get sick, and birds can contract the infection without exhibiting any symptoms. Because cats are particularly vulnerable to the disease, authorities are asking anyone who owns a cat in a impacted area to keep their pet indoors to avoid exposure and to keep dogs on leashes and away from wildlife.

Bird flu is spreading where?

For years, avian flu has been circulating in wild birds, and in the United States, it has also been detected in dairy cattle. S. . March 2024. Millions of chickens have had to be killed due to the virus’s spread, which has caused outbreaks at farms in other states. Since last summer, the supply of eggs has decreased, driving up prices.

Raw milk from outbreak-affected farms has also been found to contain high levels of the virus. Health authorities have advised against consuming raw milk, and the U.S. S. . The Department of Agriculture has expanded its nationwide raw milk testing program.

Humans can contract the virus, and the risk of infection is highest for those who have close contact with animals that are infected with H5N1. 67 human cases of bird flu have been reported nationwide, and a person in Louisiana passed away earlier this month after catching the virus, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The individual, over 65, had underlying medical issues, according to officials, and was infected by sick and dead birds in a backyard flock.

No human cases have been identified in Massachusetts, and there has been no documented person-to-person transmission of the virus.

“Awareness … rather than alarm.”.

At a press briefing, Massachusetts state epidemiologist Catherine Brown stated that the flu is currently “an animal virus,” according to the Globe.

“We believe that awareness, rather than alarm, is the best course of action,” she stated. Avian flu viruses hardly ever infect humans, although the current H5N1 avian flu has had a major effect on domestic birds, wild birds, and dairy cattle in the US. “”.

Officials are stressing that “meat and pasteurized milk are safe to consume,” and the virus has not infected cattle herds in New England, the Globe reports.

Owners of poultry flocks are being advised to make every effort to keep wild birds away from or in close proximity to domestic flocks.

Authorities are requesting that anyone who finds dead or sick birds notify the state of the suspected cases.

Report wild birds: If five or more birds are discovered in one area, the public should use this form at mass . gov/reportbirds to report observations of sick or dead birds to MassWildlife.

Report domestic birds: The public should call the Mass to report any dead or ill poultry or other domestic birds. Division of Animal Health, Department of Agricultural Resources, (617) 626-1795, or via mass . gov/reportpoultry.

This report used information from the Associated Press.

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