Pennsylvania poultry farms reach critical milestone in fight against contagious avian flu strain

Aug. 31—Pennsylvania has reached the critical milestone of highly pathogenic avian influenza-free status recognized by the World Animal Health Organization, the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture and Gov. Josh Shapiro announced Wednesday in a press release.

The designation marks a return to normal international trade conditions for Pennsylvania's $7.1 billion poultry industry for the first time since April 2022, when the outbreak of the current strain began, affecting 31 commercial flocks, 36 backyard flocks and causing the loss of 4,648,240 domestic birds.

A response team made up of hundreds of veterinarians and specialists from the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Penn State Extension and PennAg Industries worked side by side with poultry businesses to achieve this critical "HPAI-free" milestone in Pennsylvania.

"Hi-path avian influenza is one of the most significant animal public health emergencies in American history. I am proud of this Administration's coordinated and aggressive response to reach this critical disease-free milestone today," Shapiro said in a press release.

The budget Shapiro signed last month increases funding for the Agriculture Department by nearly 6.4%, supporting agricultural emergency preparedness and response, including $31 million to help poultry farmers impacted by the hi-path avian influenza crisis pay for testing and get reimbursed for losses to their flocks.

The budget also invests $1 million in funding the Center for Livestock and Poultry Excellence at PennAg Industries — a critical partner in providing the equipment, personnel, training and research funding which have been critical in Pennsylvania's response to the virus outbreak.

"Pennsylvania's coordinated, aggressive, and effective response to the hi-path avian influenza outbreak has brought us to this point," Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding said in the press release.

The department is currently reviewing applications for the fifth round of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Recovery Reimbursement Grant program to reimburse those in the industry for the costs of enhanced biosecurity to protect against the virus.

The last confirmed infection of the current strain of highly-pathogenic avian flu in the state was on March 17 in Lancaster County. Specific restrictions on every farm where infections had been confirmed were lifted in early August.

Pennsylvania remains under a general quarantine to protect the state's poultry industry from the spread of the virus. The Department continues testing and monitoring statewide.

Despite no detections of the most infectious strain of virus in recent months in Pennsylvania, detections of the virus in surrounding states indicate that the threat to the industry warrants continued vigilance, especially as wild bird migration season approaches.

Poultry producers should continue to implement strict biosecurity practices at all times, monitor bird health, and report any unexplained illnesses and deaths in a flock to 717-772-2852.

Find more information about avian influenza and protecting your flock at agriculture.pa.gov.