PLYMOUTH, Mass. - The Massachusetts Department of Public Health said the risk of the bird flu to humans remains low despite a recent outbreak in Plymouth and two dead Canada geese found on the campus of UMass Amherst.
State health leaders said they suspect the bird flu is the cause of the death of more than 60 Canada geese, swans and other birds in Plymouth.
Massachusetts DPH is urging people to not touch birds or other animals who appear dead or sick.
They said people should keep their pets and domestic birds away from wild waterfowl like ducks and geese.
"One of the things that can happen with these avian flu viruses is that they can get into our domestic chicken, turkey, duck flocks” said Dr. Catherine Brown, State Epidemiologist at the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. “And when that happens, right, and you're a flock owner and you're caring for these birds and all of a sudden they start dying, that's a possibility where we really see a higher risk for folks because they they're going to be exposed to their birds."
Massachusetts DPH said if you see dead birds, especially duck or geese, to contact local or state leaders immediately to let them know of the location.