Boston health officials confirmed Wednesday that highly pathogenic avian influenza, better known as bird flu, has been detected in wild birds in the city’s Emerald Necklace park system. New signs and advisories are posted across the park chain as testing and monitoring ramp up. Officials say the immediate risk to the general public is still low, but they are urging people to steer clear of any sick or dead birds.
What officials are saying
The Boston Public Health Commission said on X that the “risk of human infection is currently low” and reminded residents not to feed, touch or remove birds from city parks, according to Boston 25 News. Instead, people are asked to use the state reporting form or call 311 if they see sick, injured or dead birds.
Where the detections were made
The detections were reported in sections of the Emerald Necklace, a linked chain of parks that runs from the Back Bay through Brookline to Franklin Park and includes Jamaica Pond and the Arnold Arboretum. The Emerald Necklace Conservancy, which stewards roughly 1,100 acres and draws more than a million visits a year, has posted an avian flu advisory for park users.
How to protect yourself and your pets
Officials are urging people to avoid contact with wild birds, keep dogs on a leash and keep cats indoors. They are also warning residents not to pick up or move sick or dead animals.
The CDC notes in its current situation summary that while sporadic human infections have occurred, most recent U.S. cases have been tied to direct exposure to infected animals, and the overall risk to the general public remains low.
State and national context
Massachusetts has been tracking highly pathogenic avian influenza in wild birds since 2022, and state agencies continue to test suspected cases while urging stronger biosecurity for backyard flocks. At the federal level, surveillance has documented detections in wild birds across the country, and the USDA is keeping a running list of animal cases. City and state partners are monitoring people who may have been exposed.
Guidance from the Boston Public Health Commission and updates from USDA APHIS offer more detail for residents who want to track the situation.
What to watch next
For now, city officials say people should report any sick or dead wild birds through the state’s reporting form at mass.gov or by calling 311, and should not handle the animals themselves. Local park groups, public health agencies and federal partners are expected to post further updates if conditions change, and this story will be updated as new information becomes available.
