The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture is taking further action to stop the spread of bird flu in the commonwealth. The first case of avian flu in domestic poultry this year was reported on January 27th on a commercial farm in Lehigh County. Since then, bird flu cases have been reported in Cumberland, Dauphin, Lebanon and Lancaster counties.
State officials say a task force of state and federal agents is being sent to each poultry farm where an outbreak has been reported. All of the farms that had positive cases of bird flu will be quarantined, and product movement is being restricted at any other farms within a ten-kilometer radius. Testing will also be conducted on those farms. Dairy farms within a three-kilometer radius will also be subject to testing requirements and product transportation restrictions.
There is no risk to the general public, and poultry products and eggs are safe to eat provided they are cooked properly. Those who don’t work on farms but come in close contact with them are reminded that the virus can be spread through clothing and vehicles. People are advised to stay clear of farms, heed any posted notices, and to report on seeing sick birds, but do not touch them.
