USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has reported several new cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) across the U.S. since the beginning of February.
The virus was confirmed in a commercial table egg pullet operation of 20,300 birds in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, and a commercial boiler production operation of 89,800 birds in Leake County, Mississippi last week.
Since the beginning of February, the virus was also confirmed in a commercial upland gamebird operation of 17,000 birds in Mitchell County, Kansas. A commercial duck breeder operation in Merced County, California recently had to depopulate 29,100 birds and a commercial duck meat bird operation in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania had to depopulate 32,800 birds.
As spring wild bird migration nears, Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding and Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA) Director Randy Padfield recently reminded poultry owners to protect their flocks by remaining vigilant and reviewing and implementing strong biosecurity plans and practices.
"The best line of offense is a strong defense. Biosecurity is the best way to ensure your farm and poultry are safeguarded against disease," said Redding. "Poultry producers should review and use strong biosecurity practices as part of their daily routine to protect their flocks, as well as Pennsylvania's $7.1 billion poultry industry."
Since the onset of the HPAI outbreak in early 2022, 58.39 million birds have been affected by the virus.
