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.

Bird flu appears to be widespread among birds 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.

A California duck farm made headlines this week after the World Organization of Animal Health published a report by U.S. authorities that a strain of bird flu that scientists call H5N9 had been found among sick birds in the flock.