Pennsylvania sees first avian flu cases in nearly two months

NORTHAMPTON, Pa. (WHTM) – New cases of avian flu are being reported in Pennsylvania for the first time in nearly two months.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, an outbreak affecting a flock of about 30 birds was detected in Northampton County on May 19.

This is the first publicly known outbreak of avian flu in Pennsylvania since March 27 in Lancaster County. Prior to that, millions of birds were affected across the state by avian flu.

The largest outbreak in Pennsylvania this year affected nearly two million birds at a commercial table egg layer in Dauphin County in February. The first confirmed case in the state this year came on January 27 at a commercial poultry farm in Lehigh County.

Avian flu, also known as bird flu, occurs naturally in wild birds and can spread the disease to farms and domestic birds.

The CDC says more than 171.5 million birds have been affected by avian flu in the United States since January 2022.