州政府官員懷疑禽流感影響到鵝和其他野生動物

(Boston Orange) 麻州政府環保及健康官員懷疑，一種高致病性禽流感 (HPAI) 是導致普利茅斯 60 多隻加拿大鵝、天鵝和其他鳥類死亡的原因。

麻州漁業及野生動物署 (MassWildlife)、麻州農業資源局 (MDAR)，以及麻州公共衛生廳 (DPH)忠告大眾，避免接觸病鳥或死鳥。

最近在普利茅斯比靈頓海爆發的疫情影響了 60 多隻加拿大鵝、天鵝和鴨子。最近幾週，該州其他地區報告了疑似 HPAI 的較小疫情，每個地點影響不到 15 隻鵝。官員們迅速做出反應，正在收集、檢測和安全處理死鳥。公眾及時報告病鳥和死鳥，將與多年來一直監測 HPAI 的州和聯邦合作夥伴合作，加快檢測和診斷。

州政府官員表示，人類很少感染高致病性禽流感，但與受感染鳥類密切接觸的人則有風險。寵物，尤其是貓，應飼養在室內，以避免接觸。

民眾如有疑慮，可訪問 DPH 的禽流感網頁，或致電 617-983-6800 聯繫流行病學部門（24/7 全天候可用）。

State Officials Suspect HPAI Outbreak Impacting Geese and Other Wildlife 

PLYMOUTH — State environmental and health officials are informing the public that Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), which very rarely infects humans, is suspected to be the cause of over 60 deceased Canada geese, swans, and other birds in Plymouth. The Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (MassWildlife), the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR), and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) are advising the public to refrain from handling birds or other animals that are dead or appear sick. 

 

• Reporting wild birds:  The public should report observations of sick or deceased birds if 5 or more birds are found at a single location using this simple form at mass.gov/reportbirds. 

• Reporting domestic birds: The public should report sick or dead poultry or other domestic birds by calling MDAR’s Division of Animal Health at (617) 626-1795. 

• Handling birds and other wildlife: The public should strictly avoid handling any sick or dead birds or other animals. Report sightings as indicated above or call the local Animal Control Officer.

• Keeping pets safe: Pets should always be kept away from wildlife. Cats are highly susceptible to HPAI and may die from an infection. Cat owners in affected areas should keep their pets indoors to prevent them from being exposed to infected wildlife. 

• Hunting geese: While eating wild game meat is generally considered safe, licensed hunters can minimize risk from wildlife diseases by following best practices when handling and processing game.    

The recent outbreak at Billington Sea in Plymouth has impacted over 60 Canada geese, swans, and ducks. Smaller outbreaks of suspected HPAI impacting fewer than 15 geese at each location have been reported in recent weeks in other parts of the state. Officials responded quickly and are collecting, testing, and safely disposing of dead birds. Prompt reporting of sick and dead birds by the public will expedite testing and diagnosis in cooperation with state and federal partners who have been monitoring HPAI for several years.  

Both wild and domesticated birds can become infected with HPAI. Raptors, waterfowl and other aquatic birds are most at risk for infection, although any bird species should be considered susceptible. Birds may be infected with HPAI without showing any signs of illness. Wild mammals, especially those that scavenge on birds such as foxes, can also become infected.  

Humans are rarely infected with avian influenza viruses. Humans that have prolonged close contact with sick or dead birds infected with HPAI are the most at risk of becoming infected. People with questions about the public health impact of HPAI can visit DPH’s Avian influenza webpage or call the Division of Epidemiology (available 24/7) at 617-983-6800.  

For more information about HPAI, please visit MDAR’s Avian Influenza webpage.