Subscribe to receive top agriculture news
Be informed daily with these free e-newsletters
Avian flu strikes Pennsylvania egg-layer facilityAvian flu strikes Pennsylvania egg-layer facility
It is the first positive HPAI detection since October and the latest in a regionwide outbreak.
2 Min Read
AVIAN FLU: Avian flu is starting to ramp up on farms in the region. The best way to protect your farm is to implement biosecurity measures. Matthias Kulka/Getty Images
Pennsylvania’s first positive case of highly pathogenic avian influenza in commercial poultry since October was confirmed early Monday morning.
The Pennsylvania Animal Diagnostic Laboratory System reported a positive preliminary finding of avian flu on a 50,000-head chicken-layer facility in Lynn Township, Lehigh County. Samples have been forwarded to the USDA National Veterinary Services Lab for final confirmation.
Chris Herr, vice president of PennAg lndustries, said during an industry conference call Monday that he was made aware of the case on Sunday afternoon. Alex Hamberg, state veterinarian, said a 10-kilometer (6.21-mile) control and surveillance zone has been set up around the affected premises.
Hamberg said the priority is depopulation of the houses and disposal of the birds, along with surveillance of other farms in the area. He urged farms that might be near the control zone to check the state’s address checker map.
Hamberg said the strain detected on the farm — H5, 2.3.4.4 — is a strain that likely came from wild birds.
A separate strain affecting dairy cattle, B3.13, has not been detected in the state yet, but state animal health officials have urged dairy farmers to tighten up biosecurity to prevent a possible outbreak.
The state implemented a mandatory bulk milk-testing program at processing plants late last year in response to low enrollment in two voluntary surveillance programs.
Mandatory testing is done every 14 days.
Pennsylvania has had a total of 32 commercial poultry flocks and 39 backyard flocks test positive for avian flu.
Regional outbreak grows
Avian flu cases have been on the rise over the past 30 days across the region.
Over the past 30 days, more than 20 commercial poultry flocks in Michigan, Ohio, New York, Maryland, Delaware and now Pennsylvania have tested positive.
One of the detections earlier this month in Delaware, the D1.1 genotype, was the same genotype that caused the first human avian flu death in Louisiana.
Tips on biosecurity
Experts have long said that biosecurity is the first and best line of defense in preventing disease. Here are some tips for poultry from the Delaware Department of Agriculture:
Limit, monitor and record any movement of people, vehicles or animals on or off your farm.
Permit only essential workers and vehicles to enter the farm to limit the chances of bringing the virus from an outside source.
Avoid visiting other poultry farms and any unnecessary travel off the farm.
Disinfect equipment, vehicles, footwear and other items that come into contact with flocks.
Keep your flock away from wild or migratory birds, especially waterfowl.
Isolate any ill animals and contact your veterinarian.
For dairy farms, Cornell University offers the following tips:
Pause or cancel nonessential farm visits.
Assign a biosecurity manager to monitor the situation and develop a farm-specific biosecurity plan.
Notify a vet if cows present symptoms such as discolored milk, decreased rumination and fever.
Report findings of odd behaviors, and increased numbers of dead wild birds, cats, skunks or raccoons.
Avoid importing cattle from affected farms.
Discourage wild birds from entering farms, waterers and feed sources.
Clean and disinfect waterers daily.
About the Author
You May Also Like
Current Conditions for
Boone, IA
22°F
Sunny
Day 28º
Night 0º
5.63 mph
Enter a zip code to see the weather conditions for a different location.
Feb 20 - Feb 22, 2025
Feb 20 - Feb 22, 2025
The New York Farm Show is the leading farm show in the Northeast since 1985.
LEARN MORE