Avian Flu Found On Cape Cod And Beyond This Month

CAPE COD, MA — A flock of birds on Cape Cod have been "disposed of" after they tested positive for a deadly poultry disease, state officials said.

The Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources and its partner agencies announced recently that they depopulated and disposed of two non-commercial, mixed-species backyard flocks (non-poultry). One of those flocks was in Barnstable County and one was in Essex County.

This happened, officials said, after birds on the affected premises exhibited clinical signs consistent with Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) and tested positive for the disease.

"The MDAR is advising backyard and commercial poultry owners to practice strong biosecurity measures to prevent domestic poultry from having contact with wild birds, their feathers, and droppings," officials said.

"The HPAI virus is continuing to circulate in the wild bird population, particularly in wild waterfowl. Eliminating standing water and preventing domestic birds from having access to ponds, streams, and wetland areas that attract wild waterfowl is of critical importance."

This month, the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (MassWildlife) has also received reports of dead and dying wild Canada geese in Essex and Middlesex Counties, and the surrounding coastal areas, officials said. These wild birds also showed symptoms consistent with HPAI.

Several samples have been collected for HPAI testing and results are pending.

While humans are rarely infected with avian influenza viruses, humans that have prolonged close contact with sick or dead birds infected with HPAI are at the most risk of becoming infected. Officials are urging the public not to handle or feed any birds suspected of being infected.

Pet owners should also prevent their dogs from making contact with wild birds, officials said.