Paul Kelly, whose turkey business has previously been hit by bird flu, is among those calling for a vaccination scheme for poultry Poultry farmers are appealing to the government to let them vaccinate their flocks against the "devastating" bird flu virus spreading across the UK.

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.

The number of bird flu cases in Central Massachusetts is relatively low, compared to a swath of the state that runs from Greater Boston to Southeastern Massachusetts. That message was delivered Wednesday during a virtual update from state health officials on the highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 virus.

A case of avian influenza, also known as bird flu, has been confirmed at a commercial poultry farm in Norfolk. The highly pathogenic virus was detected at a premises near Loddon, the Department for Environment,

As the bird flu continues to spread in the U.S., Massachusetts farmers must protect their flocks. But due to the recent rise in the disease, growing and raising their own food on property is a tradition that may have to be put on hold.

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

Bird flu is now believed to be widespread in Massachusetts and is likely present even in places where there has not been a confirmed positive, state environmental and health officials said Wednesday.

Lithuania has reported an outbreak of highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza, commonly called bird flu, on a laying hen farm in the western part of the country, the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) said on Wednesday.