Sign up for the Today newsletter
Get everything you need to know to start your day, delivered right to your inbox every morning.
Bald eagle euthanized in Mass. after bird flu diagnosis
State and health officials announced that bird flu has become “widespread” in Massachusetts.
Amid an uptick in reported bird flu cases across the state, officials euthanized a bald eagle found in Townsend, Mass. on Sunday that tested positive for the virus.
According to Raptor Tales Rescue of Shrewsbury, the bald eagle was showing “neurological deficits” with “sudden and frequent head movements.” The bird was euthanized in an effort to prevent the spread of the infectious disease.
The eagle is jone of many birds across Massachusetts that have tested positive for bird flu in recent weeks.
“It is very concerning to me as a raptor rehabilitator, to see the numbers that we’re seeing,” Raptor Tales Rescue of Shrewsbury President Jess Zorge told Boston.com. “It’s been around for several years within the state…but nothing to this extent that I’ve seen before.”
Advertisement:
Zorge said Raptor Tales Rescue of Shrewsbury has been “flying through” its personal protective equipment. Over the past 10 days, Zorge said the organization alone has confirmed three positive cases of bird flu.
What is bird flu?
Bird flu is widespread in wild birds around the world, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Raptors, waterfowl, and other aquatic birds are most at risk for infection, according to MassWildlife, and wild mammals can also become infected.
Birds can carry the virus — which can be transmitted through droppings, fluids, secretions, and consuming contaminated carcasses — without showing symptoms, Zorge said.
Bird flu
Common signs of infection in birds that show symptoms include sudden death, purple discoloration, and lack of coordination, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association.
Advertisement:
To prevent birds from congregating in large numbers and further spreading the virus, Zorge urged people to refrain from feeding birds in the wild. Zorge also advised pet owners to keep their cats, which are highly susceptible to the illness, away from wild birds.
While the CDC says the current public health risk is low, there have been 68 confirmed total reported human cases in the United States.
However, state health officials say the bird flu “rarely” infects humans. Most human cases seen so far in the U.S. have been mild, according to the CDC, and have mostly been limited to people who had known exposure to sick animals.
The bird flu outbreak is also causing an egg shortage, the AP reported, prompting grocers to limit the number of eggs that customers can purchase.
Where has bird flu been identified?
Massachusetts has seen recurring incidents of bird flu among wild birds since 2022. But last month, state and health officials announced that bird flu had become “widespread” in the state and is “likely present even in places where there has not been a confirmed positive.”
In January, health officials said bird flu was the likely cause of death for more than 60 Canada geese, swans, and ducks in Plymouth.
Advertisement:
Just days after, D.W. Field Park in Brockton and Avon was forced to close after officials warned of a potential avian flu outbreak. Several swans and Canada geese were reportedly found dead.
Between Feb. 5 and 11, the Town of Plymouth removed 16 birds, according to officials.
State health officials are asking the public to report observations of five or more deceased birds found at a single location to MassWildlife using this form, and to report sick or dead poultry and other domestic birds using this form.
To comment, please create a screen name in your profile
To comment, please verify your email address
Conversation
This discussion has ended. Please join elsewhere on Boston.com