Chicken flu is now ‘widespread’ in Massachusetts, officers say

Chicken flu is now believed to be widespread in Massachusetts and is probably going current even in locations the place there has not been a confirmed optimistic, state environmental and well being officers stated Wednesday.

The Division of Fisheries and Wildlife, Massachusetts Division of Agricultural Assets, and Massachusetts Division of Public Well being stated Wednesday that the extremely pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) – extra generally referred to as fowl flu – is suspected to be the reason for demise in circumstances of each wild and home birds in a number of Massachusetts municipalities.

The businesses are advising the general public to “chorus from dealing with birds or different animals which can be lifeless or seem sick” and to report suspected circumstances.

“State officers are working with companions to check suspected circumstances and collaborating with municipalities to securely get rid of lifeless birds,” the businesses stated in a information launch Wednesday.

Officers stated that whereas each wild and domesticated birds can develop into contaminated with HPAI, raptors (birds of prey), waterfowl and different aquatic birds are most in danger for an infection, though any fowl species needs to be thought of vulnerable.

“Birds could also be contaminated with HPAI with out exhibiting any indicators of sickness,” stated the information launch. “Wild mammals, particularly those who scavenge on birds, resembling foxes, may also develop into contaminated.”

Officers additionally stated that Massachusetts has had recurring incidents of HPAI since early 2022. On this specific case, an outbreak of HPAI is suspected of inflicting the demise of Canada geese, swans, and different birds in Plymouth.

“Preliminary optimistic circumstances are being reported at different places throughout the state,” officers stated within the information launch.

Ideas for the general public to take care of fowl flu

In keeping with officers, whereas people are not often contaminated with avian influenza viruses, individuals who have direct contact with animals contaminated with HPAI are probably the most in danger. The U.S. Facilities for Illness Management (CDC) studies no identified incidences of person-to-person unfold and continues to categorize the chance to public well being as low.

Massachusetts officers provided tricks to scale back an infection threat for most of the people, together with:

• Keep away from dealing with birds and different wildlife: The general public ought to strictly keep away from dealing with wildlife, particularly sick or lifeless birds or different animals.
• Hold pets secure: Canine and different pets ought to all the time be leashed and away from wildlife. Cats are extremely vulnerable to HPAI and will die from an an infection. Cat homeowners in affected areas ought to maintain their pets indoors to stop publicity to contaminated wildlife.
• Searching: Whereas consuming wild recreation meat is usually thought of secure, licensed hunters can reduce the chance of wildlife ailments by following greatest practices when dealing with and processing recreation.

Individuals with questions in regards to the public well being affect of HPAI can go to the Division of Public Well being’s Avian Influenza webpage or name the Division of Epidemiology at 617-983-6800.

Chicken flu detected in different states

A fowl flu outbreak was additionally found in California on Wednesday.

The newly reported H5N9 pressure was discovered Monday at a duck farm in Merced County, California, in line with the World Group for Animal Well being. The Paris-based group that research animal ailments stated it is the primary verified U.S. case of H5N9 in poultry. The group stated the extra frequent pressure H5N1 was additionally discovered.

Moreover, a Lengthy Island farm reportedly euthanized greater than 100,000 geese after a fowl flu outbreak hit the jap New York facility final week.

Crescent Duck Farm President Doug Corwin advised native station WABC-TV that the mass euthanasia was notably devastating as Lengthy Island was once identified for its intensive duck farming trade and the enterprise is the biggest main industrial duck farm in Suffolk County.

The Georgia Division of Agriculture, together with the U.S. Division of Agriculture, additionally confirmed a optimistic case of fowl flu in a industrial poultry operation situated in Elbert County, Georgia on Jan. 17.

Officers issued a quarantine of all industrial poultry operations inside a 6.2-mile radius of the power and surveillance testing will probably be carried out for a minimum of two weeks. All in-state poultry exhibitions, exhibits, swaps, meets and gross sales are suspended till additional discover, the division stated. 

“This can be a critical risk to Georgia’s #1 trade and the livelihoods of 1000’s of Georgians who make their dwelling in our state’s poultry trade,” Tyler Harper, state agriculture commissioner, stated in a press release on the time. “We’re working across the clock to mitigate any additional unfold of the illness and be certain that regular poultry actions in Georgia can resume as shortly as potential.”

Contributing: Mike Snider, Anthony Robledo & Janet Loehrke, USA TODAY

Gabe Hauari is a nationwide trending information reporter at USA TODAY. You possibly can observe him on X @GabeHauari or e-mail him at Gdhauari@gannett.com.