The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) recently issued an alert because of an unusual increase in the number of gray and harbor seal strandings along the cost, from Kittery to Rockport. Some of these stranded seals have tested positive for bird flu.
From the NOAA website:
If you see a sick, injured, or dead seal in Maine, please call the Maine Marine Animal Reporting Hotline at (800) 532-9551. The health risk posed by avian flu to the general public is low; however, precautions are recommended. Please do not touch live or dead seals, don’t allow pets to approach the seal, and observe the animal from a safe distance of 150 feet (safe for you and the animal). Please wait patiently for further guidance from trained responders.