The progression of the species-jumping disease has been unprecedented, including the first-ever U.S. cases of infections in dairy cattle and heightened pandemic risks.

The circulating bird flu has become “widespread” in Massachusetts, as officials believe the virus has killed 500 to 1,000 wild birds across the region.

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.

Massachusetts officials announced Wednesday that bird flu is now considered to be “widespread” in the state and urged the public to avoid handling birds or other animals that are dead or appear sick.

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

A man died Monday in Louisiana after contracting the bird flu virus after being exposed to birds. By December the CDC had identified at least 65 human infections of avian flu in the United States, more than half (36) in the state of California,

Bird flu appears to be widespread in Massachusetts, state health and environmental officials said Wednesday. The Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (MassWildlife), the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) said bird flu -- also known as highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) -- is suspected to be the cause of death in cases of both wild and domestic birds in several Massachusetts municipalities.

Wildlife officials were at a Plymouth, Massachusetts, beach on Friday to collect dead birds amid fears of avian flu.

State environmental and health officials are informing the public that Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) H5N1 virus, which rarely infects humans, is suspected to be the

The Beardsley Zoo in Bridgeport, Connecticut is making changes to their operations after discovering a confirmed a case of the bird flu.

The current bird flu outbreak in Massachusetts is the largest the state has ever seen. Here's why officials believe it has become so widespread and what residents should do to protect themselves (and their pets).