Avian flu detected at commercial poultry farm in Lebanon County, ag dept. says

At least one commercial poultry farm in Lebanon County is now dealing with an outbreak of avian flu.

The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture announced Thursday, Feb. 6, that “several commercial poultry farms in Cumberland, Dauphin, Lancaster, Lebanon, and Lehigh Counties are presumed to be HPAI positive based on the presence of the virus in initial samples, and rapid deaths among birds.”

Ag officials have not identified the farm or where in the county it is located.

Once confirmed, the detection should be included in a database of highly pathogenic avian influenza outbreaks in commercial flocks that is maintained by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. However, no Lebanon County facilities were listed as of Thursday afternoon.

The state Department of Agriculture said that presumed positive farms are being quarantined, and that all commercial poultry facilities within 10 kilometers of infected flocks will be subject to testing requirements and restrictions on moving poultry product.

Additionally, dairy farms within 3 kilometers will be subject to testing and product transport restrictions.

“Pennsylvania continues to take swift, aggressive action to protect our farmers and our dairy and poultry industries from avian influenza,” Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding said in a statement.

No infections have been detected in cattle or humans in Pennsylvania, and officials say there is no health risk to the general public.

More information about the avian influenza is available on the state’s website.