Massachusetts is dealing with an ongoing bird flu outbreak affecting birds on farms. Confirmed cases have been reported in wild birds on UMass Amherst campus and in cows across the state. The avian influenza H5N1 virus, which can also infect humans, has caused severe illness including death in Louisiana last month after hospitalization.
Farmers are taking precautionary measures to protect their flocks from contracting the respiratory disease. At Diemand Farm in Wendell, Massachusetts, chickens are kept in separate areas and prevented from mixing with wild birds or water sources. State officials advise all poultry owners to implement robust biosecurity practices, such as cleaning and disinfecting equipment, to avoid spreading the virus.
The HPAI-2019 virus remains present in the wild bird population, with officials emphasizing the importance of eliminating shared water sources to protect flocks from depopulation. State health officials are working closely with local partners to monitor the spread of the virus among animals and humans, including cases in Massachusetts residents.
For backyard chicken owners, maintaining cleanliness and separation is crucial to preventing infection. The threat continues to affect both wildlife and domestic poultry, while human exposure remains rare but not without risks given the proximity of wild bird populations to farms.
Source: https://www.nepm.org/regional-news/2025-01-22/following-confirmation-of-bird-flu-in-amherst-geese-biosecurity-on-farms-urged-by-state