HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture has issued new recommendations for poultry producers to combat the spread of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), Sen. Elder Vogel, Jr. (R-47) said today.
The department is recommending heightened biosecurity focusing on preventing contact of poultry with wild birds and dairy cattle. It also recommends maintaining poultry indoors if possible during this period of heightened risk.
“This virulent strain of avian influenza virus is circulating in the wild bird population and continues to find its way into commercial and backyard poultry,” said Vogel. “It continues to impact the poultry industry nationwide. I urge Pennsylvania producers to follow these recommendations and take advantage of the outreach assistance that’s being made available.”
Poultry producers can find more information on this update and contacts for assistance here. Additional recommendations and data are also available from the state Department of Agriculture.
HPAI has been circulating in the wild bird population in the United States and was identified in commercial poultry in early 2022. In addition, 17 new cases have been confirmed in dairy herds in four states in the past 30 days. No cases have been reported in PA dairies to date.
The Centers for Disease Control has reported 70 cases of confirmed human cases of HPAI, and reports that the majority of those cases are linked to infected poultry or dairy cattle. No human cases have been reported in Pennsylvania.
CONTACT: Lily Guthrie, 717-787-3076