State officials are warning the public to avoid handling birds and other wildlife as suspected avian flu cases are now “widespread” in Massachusetts.

State officials are working with partners to test suspected cases and collaborating with municipalities to safely dispose of dead birds." The post Bird flu now considered ‘widespread’ in Mass., officials say appeared first on Boston.

MORE: Long Island farm forced to euthanize more than 100,000 ducks after bird flu detected. There has been a history of intermittent bird flu outbreaks in Massachusetts since earl

The circulating bird flu has become “widespread” in the Bay State, as officials believe the virus has killed 500 to 1,000 wild birds across the region. And the total number of dead birds is likely “much higher than that,

The leading message coming from Bay State officials this week was that people and pets should stay away from sick or dead wild birds. And if they see any, they should report their observations to MassWildlife.

Several Massachusetts communities are posting warnings or closing public spaces over concerns about bird flu and the recent deaths of several groups of birds.