BOSTON — The Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources' (MDAR) Division of Animal Health is informing the public that Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) has been detected in Essex County.

 

MDAR recently depopulated and disposed of a non-commercial, backyard flock (poultry) in Essex County, Massachusetts, due to HPAI.  Birds on the affected premises exhibited clinical signs consistent with HPAI, and samples tested positive for the disease.

 

MDAR urges backyard and commercial poultry owners to practice strong biosecurity measures to prevent domestic poultry from coming into contact with wild birds, their feathers, and droppings. The HPAI virus is circulating 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 critical. Allowing domesticated flocks the ability to roam freely poses substantial and elevated risk of exposure to HPAI and should be avoided or the consequences can be deadly.

 

REPORT sick or dead birds

 

Domestic birds: 617-626-1795 or online Poultry Disease Reporting Form: https://www.mass.gov/forms/poultry-disease-reporting-form

 

Wild birds: Department of Fish and Game, Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (MassWildlife)

https://www.mass.gov/forms/report-observations-of-dead-wild-birds

 

 For more information regarding HPAI, visit MDAR's Avian Influenza?webpage.