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.