Wildlife officials say avian flu has been detected in wild birds in Maine, elevating the risk status of the disease in our state from “moderate” to “high.”

While no cases have been detected in Maine’s domestic flocks since March of 2024, the state says avian flu was recently detected in wild birds in Kennebunk, Kittery, Ogunquit, South Berwick, South Portland and York.

Despite the upgraded risk status of the disease’s spread among birds, health officials in Maine say the human health risk to the general public remains low.

The Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry is urging flock owners to take steps to prevent the spread of avian flu, including limiting contact between domestic and wild birds.