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Three bird flu outbreaks have been reported at poultry facilities in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, affecting over 55,000 birds. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), these outbreaks occurred last week and have been added to their database. The affected facilities include a commercial duck meat plant, a commercial table egg layer, and a commercial broiler producer. The CDC has not disclosed the names of the impacted facilities.
The outbreaks in Lancaster County are part of a larger issue affecting over two million birds across five counties in Pennsylvania, including Lebanon, Cumberland, Dauphin, and Lehigh counties. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has confirmed that the outbreaks involve the highly pathogenic avian influenza strain H5N1.
In response, the Bureau of Animal Health and Diagnostic Services has established safety zones around affected farms in East Lampeter Township and Clay Township. These zones require testing and impose restrictions on moving poultry products within a 10-kilometer radius of infected flocks. Dairy farms within three kilometers are also subject to testing and transport restrictions.
Dr. Gregory Martin from Penn State Extension emphasized the importance of biosecurity measures to prevent the spread of the virus. He advised farmers to wash equipment and clothing after handling birds and to prevent wild birds from mingling with domestic flocks.
The state Department of Agriculture assures the public that there is no risk to humans and that poultry products are safe to consume when cooked properly. However, the current strain is highly infectious and fatal to birds. The last major outbreak in 2022 resulted in the euthanization of 3.5 million birds statewide.