As First Case of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza is Confirmed in Pennsylvania Poultry, the Department of Agriculture Takes Action with Coordinated Response Plan

HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture Monday confirmed the first positive case of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in domestic poultry in Pennsylvania in 2025, in a 50,000-bird layer chicken flock on a commercial poultry farm In Lehigh County. ​Preliminary samples indicated the presence of the H5, 2.3.4.4 HPAI strain when tested in a PA Animal Diagnostic Laboratory System (PADLS) lab. Samples have been shipped to a USDA National Veterinary Services Laboratory for confirmation.

A state and federal interagency task force is on the farm carrying out a comprehensive response plan to help keep the virus from spreading further. The Department has quarantined the farm and all commercial poultry facilities, restricting the movement of poultry products within a 10-kilometer radius of the infected flock.

While there is no risk to the general public, and poultry products and eggs are safe to eat if cooked properly, HPAI is highly infectious ​and is generally fatal to domestic birds.

No infections in dairy cattle or humans have been detected in Pennsylvania to date. The virus has infected dairy cattle in states further west, but cattle are not sickened to the degree that birds are. Milk that has been pasteurized is safe to drink.

The Shapiro Administration has taken aggressive steps to protect Pennsylvania’s dairy and poultry industries, including quarantines that have been adjusted as the virus has evolved and affected livestock.

Pennsylvania has been on high alert since the beginning of the outbreak of HPAI in 2022. This detection is the first confirmed in commercial poultry in Pennsylvania since February 2024. The last detection in domestic birds was in a backyard flock in October 2024 in Venango County.

Pennsylvania has been a national leader in testing milk, and in aggressively testing dairy cattle, prohibiting lactating dairy cattle from infected farms in other states from transport to Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania continues to test poultry on farms and in live bird markets. Quarantines are in place with restrictions that are adjusted to set limits on transporting poultry within a set radius of any farm where an infection is confirmed.

“Protecting our poultry and dairy industries has been, and continues to be Pennsylvania’s top priority,” Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding said. “With this confirmed positive infection in Pennsylvania and confirmed infections in poultry in surrounding states, the threat is clear and heightened. Vigilant biosecurity on both poultry and dairy farms and on any farm that raises birds is the key to minimizing the spread of the virus. Throughout the outbreak, the Shapiro Administration has worked to protect Pennsylvania farmers and our dairy and poultry industries from HPAI. Our close coordination and support from the federal government has been critical, and we must continue working together at all levels to combat this virus.”

While there have been human infections of HPAI in other states, mainly in workers in close contact with infected poultry and dairy cattle, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, avian influenza presents very low risk to human health.

The Shapiro Administration has also made key investments in bolstering agriculture’s infrastructure and workforce to protect the industry from future disease outbreaks and recover losses from avian influenza. This includes the nation’s first special fund of $31 million to help Pennsylvania poultry farmers impacted by the avian influenza crisis pay for testing and get reimbursed for losses to their flocks, to improve biosecurity, and recover losses not covered by the federal government. Investments also include the expansion of veterinary lab services in Western PA to speed diagnosis and response to disease outbreaks, and funding to research and implement cutting-edge technology that can help detect and prevent future outbreaks.

The Administration continues to work with the USDA, CDC, FDA and others to monitor the virus and protect public health and the food supply, including the health of farmworkers and farm families, and have made free personal protective equipment available to farms for their workers. The PA Centers for Dairy Excellence, and Poultry & Livestock Excellence, along with the PA Departments of Agriculture and Health, and Penn State Extension partner for regular monthly updates for the dairy and poultry farmers and processors to keep the industry and their workforce and consumers safe.

The response plan includes education and public outreach, as well as minimizing risk though strict biosecurity measures and continued surveillance, testing, and farm management.

If you suspect your poultry is infected with avian influenza, please report your concerns 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to the Pennsylvania Bureau of Animal Health and Diagnostic Services at 717-772-2852, option 1.

Poultry farmers and those raising backyard flocks should refer to the PADLS website control zone address checker map to determine if your flock is located in the control zone or surveillance zone. The map will reflect the zones based on these preliminary findings and can found here: Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza.

The PADLS website, under the PDA guidance, the sampling, submitting, and permitting tabs, contains guidance documents for surveillance testing and for obtaining permits, found here: padls.agriculture.pa.gov/InnerPages/HPAI.html

Anyone who encounters a sick or dead wild bird is asked to report it to the PA Game Commission at 1-833-PGC-WILD (1-833-742-9453.

If you have had contact with sick or dead birds and are not feeling well, please contact your primary care physician or the Pennsylvania Department of Health at 877-724-3258.