First bird flu case in PA found on Lehigh County poultry farm: officials

Pennsylvania now has its first case of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in domestic poultry. 

Here’s everything you need to know.

What we know:

The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture confirmed Monday that the first positive case of HPAI in domestic poultry in the state was found within a 50,000-bird layer chicken flock on a commercial poultry farm in Lehigh County. ​

A PA Animal Diagnostic Laboratory System (PADLS) lab found the presence of the H5, 2.3.4.4 HPAI strain upon testing preliminary samples.

Governor Josh Shapiro and his administration have implemented quarantines that have been adjusted as the virus has evolved and affected livestock protect the state's dairy and poultry industries.

There is no health risk to the general public, according to the Commonwealth of PA. 

Though poultry products and eggs are safe to eat if cooked properly, HPAI is highly infectious ​and is generally fatal to domestic birds.

Related

H5N9 bird flu outbreak: New virus strain detected on California farm

The H5N9 strain of avian influenza is much more rare than the H5N1 which has been responsible for most of the reported human cases and the first human death.

What is H5N9 and bird flu? 

H5N9 is a strain of the H5N1, H7N9, and H9N2 bird flu virus subtypes, according to the National Institute of Health, but far less common.  

H5N1 is the most common strain of the avian influenza A virus and was responsible for the first bird flu-related death in the U.S. earlier this month. 

The disease is usually spread between birds and though it’s rare for the disease to be transmitted to humans, it is possible, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 

To date, the H5N1 and H7N9 virus strains of bird flu have been transmitted to people, the CDC said. 

The most common way it is transmitted is by direct contact between an infected bird and a human or by touching contaminated surfaces where there are infected birds. 

It can also be transmitted to people through droplets or dust when an infected bird possibly flaps its wings, kicks up dust, or shakes its head around a human. 

What's next:

Samples were shipped to a USDA National Veterinary Services Laboratory for confirmation. 

A state and federal interagency task force is on the farm in Lehigh Valley 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.

What they're saying:

"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."

What you can do:

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.

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.

The Source: The information in this story is from the Pennsylvania State government, CDC and Department of Agriculture.

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