Bird flu has been found in a commercial flock of chickens in Pa. for the first time in nearly a year

Avian flu has been detected in a commercial flock of chickens in Pennsylvania for the first time in nearly a year, the state Department of Agriculture announced Monday.

The positive test for a strain of highly pathogenic avian influenza turned up in samples from a flock of 50,000 egg-laying hens on a poultry farm in Lehigh County.

The state’s Animal Diagnostic Laboratory System, which has been monitoring the spread of avian flu, conducted preliminary tests that detected the virus, and the state has also shipped samples from the flock to federal authorities for further confirmation.

“With this confirmed positive infection in Pennsylvania and confirmed infections in poultry in surrounding states, the threat is clear and heightened,” Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding said in a statement, urging vigilance on farms raising poultry or dairy.

Pennsylvania was one of the states hit hardest in the early days of the avian flu outbreak, which began in 2022, but the virus had not been detected in a commercial flock here since last February.

Concern has grown as the outbreak widened in other states. Avian flu was found in a flock of backyard chickens in October, the state said. About 200 snow geese were found dead in Lehigh and Northampton Counties earlier this month, and health officials said that preliminary testing by the state had confirmed avian flu.

Philadelphia reported its first case of avian flu in a sick snow goose last week.

While other states have seen cases of avian flu spreading in cattle herds, Pennsylvania has not reported any cases among cattle. Commercial bird flocks have been infected in several surrounding states in the last 30 days, including Ohio, Maryland, and Delaware.

State officials said there was no risk to the general public. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have confirmed 67 cases in humans, one fatal, since 2024. All but three cases were associated with contact with poultry, cattle, or other animals. State officials in Delaware reported a case of avian flu in a person last year, but the CDC was unable to confirm the case and the person has since recovered.

State and federal officials are on the Lehigh County farm “carrying out a comprehensive response plan” to prevent the spread of the virus, state officials said. The farm has been quarantined, and state authorities have “restricted the movement of poultry products” within a 10-kilometer radius, or about 6.2 miles, around the flock, the state said.

Typically, when the virus is detected in a domestic flock, the entire flock is euthanized to prevent its spread. Generally, the highly pathogenic avian flu currently spreading will kill domestic birds who contract it.

Pennsylvania has for months had testing and quarantine requirements and travel restrictions to combat its spread.

» READ MORE: What to know about bird flu in Pennsylvania

Lactating dairy cattle from infected farms outside the state are barred from entering Pennsylvania, and the state regularly tests cattle, milk, and poultry on farms and in live bird markets, officials said.

The state has also set up a $31 million fund for poultry farmers to recoup losses from the flu, and has free personal protective equipment available for farmworkers, officials said.

Poultry farmers and people who own backyard chickens should call the Pennsylvania Bureau of Animal Health and Diagnostic Services at 717-772-2852, option 1, if they suspect bird flu in their flocks. The state publishes a map where farmers can enter their address to see if their farm is included in the quarantine zone.

Anyone who sees a sick or dead wild bird should call the Pennsylvania Game Commission1-833-PGC-WILD.

People who have had contact with a sick or dead bird and are feeling ill should call their primary care doctor or the Pennsylvania Department of Health at 877-724-3258.