Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture Confirms First Statewide Case of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in Lancaster County
Officials say there is no health risk to Pennsylvanians
The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture confirmed the first positive case of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) status in domestic birds, in a flock of commercial laying hens at a Lancaster County poultry farm. A state and federal inter-institutional working group is prepared and a response plan is initiated. Although there is no risk to the public, and poultry and eggs are safe to eat if properly cooked, HPAI is highly infectious and can be fatal to domestic birds (chickens, ducks, geese, quail, pheasants, guinea fowl, and turkeys).According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, avian influenza detections do not present an immediate public health concern. No human cases of avian influenza viruses have been detected in the United States. Positive samples were taken from a flock in East Donegal Township, Lancaster County, and tested at the Pennsylvania Veterinary Laboratory. The finding was confirmed by the National Veterinary Services Laboratory in Ames, Iowa. The department has quarantined the farm and all commercial poultry facilities within a 10-kilometer radius of the infected flock. “Protecting Pennsylvania’s $7.1 billion poultry industry is a top priority throughout the year,” said Pennsylvania Secretary of Agriculture Russell Redding. “We have strict biosecurity protocols for both Pennsylvania farms and poultry products shipped in and out of state. We have $2 million budgeted and set aside since 2016 to respond to avian influenza, along with highly trained equipment, supplies, labs and experts who have been on high alert and are supporting our poultry farmers.” We care about Pennsylvanians, and we are prepared. to respond to this agricultural problem. However, wild birds carry the virus and do not respect state or property lines,” he added. “Anyone visiting a farm should know that their vehicles and shoes can carry the virus from other places they’ve walked. Clean them thoroughly and stay away from poultry barns unless you have to be there. Be vigilant and do your part.” to protect our farms. An HPAI interagency task force works regularly to address the threat of disease to Pennsylvania’s wild and domestic bird populations. The task force includes the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency, the Departments of Agriculture, Health, General Services, and Environmental Protection, the State Police, the Game Commission, the Air National Guard, and the Pennsylvania Veterinary and Wildlife Services. U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) task force will carry out the response plan, which includes public education and outreach, and minimize risk factors through of strict biosecurity measures and ongoing surveillance, testing, and handling. This is the first confirmed case of highly pathogenic avian influenza in commercial poultry in Pennsylvania since an outbreak in 1983-’84. As of April 15, 2022, infected birds in commercial poultry and poultry flocks have been confirmed in 27 states, including most of the states surrounding Pennsylvania.
The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture confirmed the first positive case of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) status in domestic birds, in a flock of commercial laying hens at a Lancaster County poultry farm. A state and federal inter-institutional working group is prepared and a response plan is initiated.
Although there is no risk to the public, and poultry and eggs are safe to eat if properly cooked, HPAI is highly infectious and can be fatal to domestic birds (chickens, ducks, geese, quail, pheasants, guinea fowl, and turkeys).
According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, avian influenza detections do not present an immediate public health concern. No human cases of avian influenza viruses have been detected in the United States.
Positive samples were taken from a flock in East Donegal Township, Lancaster County, and tested at the Pennsylvania Veterinary Laboratory. The finding was confirmed by the National Veterinary Services Laboratory in Ames, Iowa. The department has quarantined the farm and all commercial poultry facilities within a 10-kilometer radius of the infected flock.
“Protecting Pennsylvania’s $7.1 billion poultry industry is a top priority throughout the year,” said Pennsylvania Secretary of Agriculture Russell Redding. “We have strict biosecurity protocols for both Pennsylvania farms and poultry products shipped in and out of state. We have $2 million budgeted and set aside since 2016 to respond to avian influenza, along with highly trained equipment, supplies, labs and experts who have been on high alert and are supporting our poultry farmers.”
“There is no immediate public health concern for Pennsylvanians and we are prepared to respond to this agricultural issue. However, wild birds carry the virus and do not respect property or state boundaries,” he added. “Anyone who visits a farm should know that their vehicles and shoes can carry the virus from other places they have walked. Clean them thoroughly and stay away from poultry houses unless you have to be there. Please stay tuned and do your part to protect our farms.”
An HPAI interagency task force works regularly to address the disease threat to Pennsylvania’s wild and domestic bird populations. The task force includes the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency, the Departments of Agriculture, Health, General Services and Environmental Protection, the State Police, the Game Commission, the Air National Guard and the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. from the US Department of Agriculture (USDA). (APHIS) Veterinary Services and Wildlife Services.
The task force will carry out the response plan, which includes public education and outreach, and minimizing risk factors through strict biosecurity measures and ongoing surveillance, testing, and management.
This is the first confirmed case of highly pathogenic avian influenza in commercial poultry in Pennsylvania since an outbreak in 1983-’84. As of April 15, 2022, infected birds had been confirmed in commercial and backyard flocks in 27 states, including most of the states surrounding Pennsylvania.
