Lancaster, PA-There is the first confirmed case of bird flu in Pennsylvania.
A positive case was found in a herd of commercial layered chicken at a poultry farm in East Donegal Township, Lancaster County, the State Department said in a news release.
A state and federal inter-ministerial task force will be prepared and a response plan will begin. ..
“Therefore, these are a group of viruses that can affect different species of poultry and wild birds,” said Megan Lighty of Pennsylvania State University.
This department quarantined farms and all commercial poultry facilities within a 10km radius of the infected herd.
The release continues to state that there is no risk to the general public, and poultry and eggs can be safely eaten if cooked properly.
Bird flu is highly infectious and can have fatal effects on poultry such as chickens, ducks, geese, quails, pheasants, guinea fowl, and turkeys.
According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the detection of bird flu does not indicate imminent public health concerns.
No human cases of avian influenza virus have been detected in the United States.
Positive samples were tested at the Pennsylvania Veterinary Institute. This discovery was confirmed by the National Institute of Veterinary Services in Ames, Iowa.
“Protecting Pennsylvania’s $ 7.1 billion poultry industry is a top priority throughout the year,” said PA Agriculture Secretary Russell Reading. “We have strict biosecurity protocols in place for both Pennsylvania farms and poultry products shipped inside and outside the state. Since 2016, we have $ 2 million to combat bird flu. We have budgeted and secured it. In addition, equipment, equipment, laboratories and highly trained professionals are vigilant and support poultry farmers.
Reading continued to say that anyone who visits the farm needs to be aware that your car or shoes can carry the virus from other places you walk.
This is the first confirmed case of highly pathogenic avian influenza in commercial poultry in Pennsylvania since its outbreak in 1983-84.
As of April 15, 2022, 27 states, including most of the states around Pennsylvania, have been identified with birds infected with commercial and backyard poultry herds.
Since February, commercial herds have wiped out more than 20 million chickens and turkeys, resulting in higher egg and poultry prices.
The Penn State Extension held a webinar on the dangers of viruses prior to the first case here.
“One gram of feces in an infected bird may contain enough virus to infect all the birds in the flock,” Lighty said.
Highly pathogenic avian influenza spreads primarily through direct contact between healthy birds and the excrement of infected birds.
If you suspect that your poultry is infected with bird flu, report your concerns 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to the Pennsylvania Animal Health Diagnostic Service Office (717-772-2852, Option 1).
Ill or dead wild birds should be reported to the Pennsylvania Game Commission (610-926-3136). [email protected]..
For more information on bird flu, please visit the department’s website. Agriculture.pa.gov..
