Infectious Diseases

Under Massachusetts law, approximately 80 communicable or infectious diseases are reportable by health care providers and laboratories to local boards of health. State and local public health departments monitor communicable disease cases in order to ensure proper identification and follow-up of cases: detect and respond to unusual occurrences of disease; identify trends over time; and evaluate the effectiveness of disease prevention and control efforts.

For Fact Sheets on Infectious Diseases visit Mass.gov/ID Fact Sheets.

  1. Avian Flu
  2. I.D Outbreaks-Updated 11/07/23
  3. Influenza
  4. Listeria 
  5. MPOX
  6. Noroviruses
  7. RSV

Avian Flu - Bird Flu

What is Avian influenza or Bird Flu?

Avian influenza or bird flu refers to the disease caused by infection with avian (bird) influenza (flu) Type A viruses. These viruses naturally spread among wild aquatic birds worldwide and can infect domestic poultry and other bird and animal species. Bird flu viruses do not normally infect humans. However, sporadic human infections with  bird flu viruses have occurred. The links below offer more information about bird flu. 

CDC Avian Flu