State officials are warning the public to avoid handling birds and other wildlife as suspected avian flu cases are now “widespread” in Massachusetts.

Officials said risk to humans remains low, but the state's public health veterinarian said pet cats are "very susceptible" to the bird flu and can become "seriously ill."

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.