Chicken 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 hen flu — also referred to as extremely pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) — is suspected to be the reason for demise 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 constructive,” the officers mentioned in a assertion. “State officers are working with companions to check suspected instances and collaborating with municipalities to soundly 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 hen species ought to be thought-about vulnerable,” 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 can be lifeless or seem sick and report suspected instances.” Boston’s Emerald Necklace, a community for parks that runs all through town, posted a number of indicators reminding residents to not contact, feed or take away birds from the parks.
There was a historical past of intermittent hen flu outbreaks in Massachusetts since early 2022, officers mentioned. In early January, an outbreak of hen flu was suspected of inflicting the demise of Canada geese, swans and different birds in Plymouth. Now, extra constructive 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 comprise an outbreak of hen 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 gear with different hen house owners, avoiding pointless motion of poultry and isolating new birds for no less than one month earlier than including to a pre-existing flock.
Start 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 accordance with the Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention.
Most human instances have been gentle with sufferers totally recovering. Up to now, simply one demise 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 may be presently no proof of human-to-human transmission and the danger to most of the people is low.