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

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.

The team found that animals that had the virus inoculated directly into their lungs became severely ill, whereas animals that were infected through the nose or oesophagus did not. All animals infected with the virus still shed infectious virus particles, meaning they could infect other animals.

State environmental and health officials said Wednesday that bird flu is suspected to be the cause of death in cases of both wild and domestic birds in several Massachusetts communities. As a result of these cases,

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

Massachusetts, United States - 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,