Bird flu found in geese at UMass

AMHERST, MA (FRANKLIN COUNTY NOW) — Bird flu, also called HPAI, has been found on the UMass Amherst campus. Two dead geese tested positive for the disease, prompting the university to place signs asking visitors to not feed or touch the birds.

Local farms have also started enacting measures to protect their flocks from the bird flu. Diemand Farm in Wendell is asking visitors to the farm store to clean their shoes before entering as an added safety measure.

MassWildlife has said in a statement that humans are rarely infected with avian influenza viruses, although close contact with infected sick or dead birds can increase those chances.