BOSTON — State environmental and health officials are informing the public that Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), which very rarely infects humans, is suspected to be the cause of deceased birds along Massachusetts’ coastline. HPAI has been detected in domestic and wild birds from Canada to Florida for the past several months.
The Department of Fish and Game’s (DFG) Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (MassWildlife), the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR), and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) are advising the public to refrain from touching or removing birds from coastal areas that appear sick, injured, or deceased.
Impacted seabirds include, but are not limited to, seagulls, ducks, terns, and cormorants.
If a wild sick, injured, or dying bird is encountered, the public is asked to make a report by visiting: mass.gov
Additionally, if a domestic bird is found, please contact MDAR’s Division of Animal Health at (617) 626-1795.
For more information, please go to the State's Department of Fish and Game website