Maine officials report multiple avian flu cases in wild birds [Video]

Multiple Maine agencies are asking people to take precautions to limit the spread of the avian flu after multiple cases were recently confirmed in wild birds in Cumberland and York counties.The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife announced Tuesday that it confirmed highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in four Canada geese, two red-tailed hawks and a great horned owl in recent weeks. The wild birds were collected from the towns of Kennebunk, Kittery, Ogunquit, South Berwick, South Portland and York.The announcement comes more than two weeks after officials revealed H5N1, a strain of the bird flu, was found in a Canada goose that was admitted to the Center for Wildlife in Kennebunk.HPAI is a highly contagious virus that spreads easily among birds through direct contact with infected poultry, wild birds, contaminated equipment and on the clothing and shoes of bird caretakers.Officials said signs of the avian flu in birds …