Overview

• Massachusetts farms are implementing strict biosecurity protocols following suspected H5N1 bird flu cases among wild birds in the state, including in Plymouth and Boston.
• The H5N1 strain has infected millions of birds nationwide since 2022, leading to culls and contributing to egg shortages, with prices now averaging over $4 per dozen.
• The virus has caused 67 documented human infections and one death in the U.S., though the risk of human-to-human transmission remains low at present.
• Federal agencies, including the USDA and CDC, are monitoring the outbreak, but experts criticize the lack of a vaccination program for poultry and the slow response to the epidemic.
• While human infections are rare, public health officials caution against direct contact with infected birds and emphasize the importance of cooking poultry products thoroughly to ensure safety.