Bird Flu Spreads Across Massachusetts: Officials Issue Warnings 

United States: The Massachusetts Bureau of Environmental and Health Officials established a state-wide presence of High-Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) which medical personnel refer to as bird flu. HPAI has resulted in several bird mortalities throughout regions where it has spread regardless of whether the regions have officially reported cases or not. Both domesticated and wild bird populations have been affected by the virus, as reported by USA Today. 

Public Health Safety Measures for Bird Flu

People should refrain from touching sick birds along with dead ones while they must report potential cases of bird flu. Public health authorities have confirmed that HPAI affects wild birds equally as domestic birds especially when they monitor waterfowl and raptors and aquatic birds. Health authorities highlight that birds transmit HPAI by carrying the virus silently and some mammalian species such as foxes demonstrate susceptibility to the virus as well. 

Precautionary Guidance for Massachusetts Residents 

To reduce the risk of avian influenza transmission to humans, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health recommends several precautions: 

  • Avoid contact with sick or dead birds and wildlife 
  • Keep pets, particularly cats, indoors to prevent exposure to infected animals 
  • Ensure dogs are leashed and stay away from wildlife areas 
  • Hunters should follow proper meat processing procedures to avoid contamination 

Bird Flu Outbreaks in Other States 

The bird flu has also been detected in other parts of the United States, including California, Long Island, and Georgia: 

A California duck farm discovered the new H5N9 strain which became the first reported occurrence of this H5N9 strain within United States borders. 

The duck farm located on Long Island had to put down more than 100,000 birds because of the outbreak. 

In Georgia, a commercial poultry facility in Elbert County was quarantined, with surveillance testing underway. 

Ongoing Efforts to Contain the Outbreak 

Officials from each state continue their work with local business partners to limit infection spread through poultry farm observation and quarantine enforcement and new case testing procedures. People must follow safety guidelines and get updated information to stop the disease from spreading further, as reported by USA Today