Massachusetts - Avian flu in poultry 2024-2026

[Shiloh]

Source: https://www.masslive.com/news/2024/01/avian-flu-found-in-barnstable-county-birds-state-says.html

Avian flu found in Barnstable County birds, state says
Updated: Jan. 12, 2024, 5:28 p.m.|Published: Jan. 12, 2024, 5:17 p.m.​
By Ryan Mancini |

Avian flu was detected in a backyard flock of birds in Barnstable County, state officials announced Friday.

The Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources’ Division of Animal Health said in a statement that Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza was detected among a flock of “non-commercial, mixed-species backyard birds that showed “clinical signs consistent with HPAI and tested positive for the disease.”

These birds were euthanized and disposed of, the agency added...


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[Shiloh]

Source: https://www.capecodtimes.com/story/...a-bird-flu-mdar-mass-audubon-cdc/72582576007/

Severe strain of bird flu identified on Cape Cod, four other Mass. counties. What to know.
Heather McCarron Cape Cod Times
​4 hours ago

Birds infected with Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza, a strain of the avian flu that causes severe symptoms, were recently identified in five Massachusetts counties, according to the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Along with its partner agencies, the state agriculture department reports it disposed of two non-commercial, mixed-species backyard flocks exhibiting HPAI symptoms — one on Cape Cod and one in Essex County, which encompasses the North Shore, Cape Ann and points north. The birds did not include any domestic poultry.

"Birds on the affected premises exhibited clinical signs consistent with HPAI and tested positive for the disease," according to the agency's Avian Influenza webpage.​

 

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https://www.aphis.usda.gov/livestoc...za/hpai-detections/commercial-backyard-flocks

 

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https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/4247

 

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https://www.aphis.usda.gov/livestoc...za/hpai-detections/commercial-backyard-flocks

 

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Related to the post above:

Bird Flu Detected in Vineyard Chickens

Gwyn Skiles
Thursday, March 6, 2025 - 3:05pm

A second outbreak of avian flu has been confirmed on the Vineyard after four backyard chickens were found dead last month.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture reported positive results for a homeowner’s flock on Feb. 26, Island health officials said Thursday. The flock had 50 chickens total, but only four were reported dead to the state.

The USDA euthanized the remaining chickens, and disposed of the chicken feed and eggs. The chickens were not part of a commercial farm.

The Vineyard health departments said they are not releasing the location of confirmed cases, following a precedent set by the USDA, which only reports the name of the county.

The previous outbreak, which is still awaiting further testing at a federal lab, was found in a flock of turkeys in Edgartown.

“Our Island is small and our towns are small,” said Brice Boutot, the board of health agent for Edgartown. “It doesn’t serve a purpose to identify the specific location because an infectious wild bird going from backyard to backyard doesn’t care about town lines.”
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https://vineyardgazette.com/news/2025/03/06/bird-flu-detected-vineyard-chickens
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Dukes County Emergency Management Association is with Martha's Vineyard Boards of Health in Martha's Vineyard.

22h ·

IMPORTANT UPDATE: Avian Flu in Dukes County – What You Need to Know!

Dukes County officials are sharing guidance on Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), also known as avian flu or bird flu, to help protect local wildlife, pets, and poultry owners. While the risk to humans is low, the virus is actively spreading in Massachusetts and has been detected in wild birds on Martha’s Vineyard.

Recent Cases in Dukes County

Wild turkeys in the Smith Hollow, Edgartown area have been presumed positive for avian flu.

A blue jay found in the same area has also preliminarily tested positive for the virus.

How to Protect Birds, Pets & Livestock

Do NOT feed wild birds – Remove bird feeders and birdbaths to prevent congregation.

Avoid handling sick or dead birds – If necessary, wear gloves, a mask, and goggles.

Report sick or dead birds – If you find 5 or more dead birds in one location, report them at mass.gov/reportbirds

Keep pets safe – Keep cats indoors and dogs leashed to prevent exposure.

Poultry Owners: Follow strict biosecurity measures to keep flocks safe:
- Keep poultry away from wild birds and remove standing water.
- Limit unnecessary movement of birds between locations.
- Quarantine new birds for 30 days before introducing them to your flock.
- Disinfect shared equipment to prevent contamination.
What to Do If You Find a Dead Bird?

Do not touch it with bare hands.

Contact your local Animal Control Officer for removal.

Report findings at mass.gov/reportbirds

Stay Informed & Help Protect Our Community!

For more information, visit:

Massachusetts Avian Flu Resource: mass.gov/info-details/avian-flu

USDA Defend the Flock Program: http://aphis.usda.gov/livestock.../avian/defend-the-flock

Public Health Concerns? Contact the Massachusetts Department of Public Health at 617-983-6800 (24/7).
Together, we can protect our birds, pets, and farms from avian flu! Share this post to spread awareness.

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https://www.facebook.com/DukesCount...wpL16e1qCurV6bipkWffBGqixG7S8B5oXxZHVc2xvFL4l

 

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​https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/4247

 

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https://www.aphis.usda.gov/livestoc...za/hpai-detections/commercial-backyard-flocks

 

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Related to the Aphis report posted above:

Bird Flu Knocks Out Island Farm’s Chicken Flock

Gwyn Skiles
Wednesday, January 7, 2026 - 10:45am

Bird flu made a resurgence on the Vineyard over the holidays after the disease wiped out one of the largest chicken flocks on-Island.

The highly pathogenic avian influenza hit the 350-bird coop at Slough Farm in Edgartown, killing about half of the flock, said Julie Scott, the executive director of the nonprofit farm. The Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) euthanized the remaining birds and disposed of them on Tuesday after positive test results, Ms. Scott said.

Public health officials on the Vineyard and at the state are urging bird owners across the Island to take precautions to help stop the spread of the disease to other farms and backyard flocks.

“Wild birds don’t adhere to town lines or property lines, they’re naturally migratory and that’s how they spread infection,” said Brice Boutot, the Edgartown health agent.
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https://vineyardgazette.com/news/2026/01/07/bird-flu-knocks-out-island-farms-chicken-flock
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Press Statement

Press Statement Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Detected in a Domestic Flock

1/06/2026

• Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources

Dukes County — The Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) and its partner agencies safely depopulated and disposed of a backyard flock of chickens in Dukes County due to the detection of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) today. The affected birds exhibited clinical signs consistent with HPAI and tested positive for the disease. MDAR officials did not find any evidence of contaminated products that were distributed.

MDAR is advising backyard and commercial poultry owners to practice strong biosecurity measures to prevent domestic poultry from having contact with wild birds since the HPAI virus is continuing to circulate in the wild bird population. Eliminating standing water and preventing domestic birds from having access to ponds, streams, and wetland areas that attract wild waterfowl is of critical importance. Allowing domestic flocks to have “free range” poses substantial risk of exposure to HPAI. The consequences can be deadly.

Raptors, waterfowl and other aquatic birds are most at risk for infection, although any bird species should be considered susceptible to the disease. Poultry is highly susceptible to this virus and suffers extremely high mortality rates. Poultry becomes infected after coming into contact with wild birds, their feathers, droppings, and any areas they frequent.

While seasonal influenza is on the rise in Massachusetts, it is different from Avian Influenza, which rarely infects humans. To date, there have been no reported cases of HPAI in humans in Massachusetts, and there is minimal risk for those who do not engage in prolonged direct contact with infected animals.

MDAR urges flock owners and the public to practice the following guidance to ensure enhanced biosecurity measures:

• Reporting domestic birds: The public should report sick or dead poultry online at www.mass.gov/reportpoultry.
• Reporting wild birds: The public should report observations of 5 or more sick/dead wild birds found at a single location at www.mass.gov/reportbirds.
• Handling birds and other wildlife: The public should avoid handling any sick or dead birds or other animals.
• Protecting poultry: Owners should keep birds indoors or in covered pens, avoid tracking dirt/feces into coops, and prevent contact with wild birds.
• Keeping pets safe: Pets should always be kept away from wildlife. Cats are highly susceptible to HPAI and may die from an infection. Cat owners in affected areas should keep their pets indoors to prevent them from being exposed to infected wildlife. Animal health officials also recommend leashing dogs and not feeding pets “raw diets”.

State and local agencies continue to coordinate disease surveillance across the Commonwealth. Consistent with MDAR and USDA policy, affected flocks are reported by county only. HPAI risk to flocks is from wild birds, particularly wild waterfowl (geese, swans, ducks), which do not respect town or property lines.

For more information, visit the following link to access an FAQ on Avian Flu that was created by MDAR, the Massachusetts Division of Fish and Wildlife, and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health: https://www.mass.gov/lists/frequently-asked-questions-about-avian-flu
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https://www.mass.gov/news/highly-pathogenic-avian-influenza-detected-in-a-domestic-flock

 

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February 26, 2026​
Avian flu found in domestic flock at poultry farm in Mass., state officials say

Avian flu has been detected in a domestic flock of birds at a poultry farm in Massachusetts, and the birds have since been destroyed, state agricultural officials said Thursday.

The Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources “safely depopulated and disposed of a non-commercial backyard flock in Dukes County due to the detection of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza,” agency officials said in a statement.

“Birds on the affected premises exhibited clinical signs consistent with HPAI and tested positive for the disease,” officials said.
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Dukes County is a coastal county comprised primarily of islands located south of Cape Cod, including Martha’s Vineyard.​
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This is the second domestic flock in Massachusetts to test positive for Highly Pathogenic Avian Flu this year, officials said

... https://www.boston25news.com/news/l...poultry-farm-mass/R2UQLRYYABBNZC3VIQCYTOUVVI/

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https://www.aphis.usda.gov/livestoc...za/hpai-detections/commercial-backyard-flocks

 

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Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Detected in a Domestic Flock

​FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
2/26/2026​

DUKES COUNTY — The Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) safely depopulated and disposed of a non-commercial backyard flock in Dukes County due to the detection of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) today. Birds on the affected premises exhibited clinical signs consistent with HPAI and tested positive for the disease. This is the second domestic flock in Massachusetts and Dukes County to test positive for HPAI this year.

MDAR is advising backyard and commercial poultry owners to practice strong biosecurity measures to prevent domestic poultry from having contact with wild birds since the HPAI virus is continuing to circulate in the wild bird population. Eliminating standing water and preventing domestic birds from having access to ponds, streams, and wetland areas that attract wild waterfowl is of critical importance. Allowing domestic flocks to have “free range” poses substantial risk of exposure to HPAI. The consequences can be deadly.

Both wild and domesticated birds can become infected with HPAI. Waterfowl and other aquatic birds are most at risk for infection, although any bird species should be considered susceptible. Birds may be infected with HPAI without showing any signs of illness. Raptors, and wild mammals, especially those that scavenge on birds, such as foxes, can also become infected.

Dogs should be leashed and kept away from areas where wild birds congregate or where dead waterfowl have been found. Cat owners in suspected areas should consider keeping their cats indoors. Farm cats should be discouraged from consuming their prey (birds or mice).

The risk of humans contracting HPAI from infected birds is very low. Humans that are most at risk of becoming infected are individuals that have prolonged close contact with sick or dead birds.

For more information, visit the following link to access an FAQ on Avian Flu that was created by MDAR, the Massachusetts Division of Fish and Wildlife, and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health: https://www.mass.gov/lists/frequently-asked-questions-about-avian-flu

​https://www.mass.gov/news/highly-pathogenic-avian-influenza-detected-in-a-domestic-flock-0