State officials warn of circulating bird flu in wild animals after virus found in backyard chickens

After detecting bird flu in a flock of backyard chickens in Dukes County, state agricultural officials are urging poultry owners to be vigilant as the virus circulates among wild birds.

The Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources said Tuesday that it had "safely depopulated and disposed" of the flock. Infected birds had shown symptoms that were consistent with Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) and tested positive for the virus, the department said.

MDAR said poultry is "highly susceptible" to the bird flu and "suffers extremely high mortality rates."

Backyard and commercial poultry owners should "practice strong biosecurity measures to prevent domestic poultry from having contact with wild birds," MDAR said. That includes eliminating standing water and preventing domestic birds from accessing ponds, streams and wetland areas that attract wild waterfowl.

"Allowing domestic flocks to have 'free range' poses substantial risk of exposure to HPAI," MDAR said. "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."

MDAR said that bird flu "rarely" infects humans, and that there have been no human cases reported so far.

People should report cases of sick or dead poultry online to state officials, avoid handling any sick or dead birds, and keep pets away from wildlife. Cats are also "highly susceptible" to the bird flu and could die from an infection, MDAR said.

Dukes County comprises Martha's Vineyard and the surrounding Elizabeth Islands.