Avian Flu Spreads Across US: H5N1 Detected in Maryland, Pennsylvania, Indiana and California With Millions of Birds Affected

Maryland Department of Agriculture announced Thursday a presumptive positive case of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5 on a commercial broiler farm in Caroline County, marking the third such case there this year and the fourth in the state. Officials quarantined the site and depopulated birds, with USDA confirmation pending. The risk to the public remains low, per state health officials. In Pennsylvania, Governor Josh Shapiro detailed a ramped-up response to a surge infecting over 7 million birds in the past month, part of 14.6 million deaths since 2022. At a Tuesday Lancaster County press conference, Shapiro noted federal aid including 42 USDA staff and discussions on piloting vaccines, though trade issues may delay rollout. WHYY reports the states poultry industry faces tens of millions in ripple losses. Indianas Board of Animal Health update Friday lists new quarantines in LaGrange County for a 3,827-bird commercial duck breeder and 23,730-bird egg layer, plus a small non-poultry flock in Hendricks County. Control zones span multiple counties amid nationwide wild bird spread. California saw its first H5N1 cases in northern elephant seals, with UC Davis confirming seven weaned pups at Ano Nuevo State Park died from the virus, showing respiratory and neurological signs. Public seal tours are closed, but most of the 5,000-strong colony appears healthy as adults migrate. CIDRAP notes recent USDA confirmations of outbreaks in Pennsylvania, South Dakota, South Carolina, and Kansas, affecting millions more birds. No new human cases reported; CDC maintains low public risk with proper biosecurity. Poultry and eggs remain safe when cooked. Thanks for tuning in. Come back next week for more. This has been a Quiet Please production, and for me check out Quiet Please Dot A I. For more http://www.quietplease.ai Get the best deals https://amzn.to/3ODvOta This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.