{"id":28753,"date":"2025-01-10T10:42:59","date_gmt":"2025-01-10T15:42:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/mda\/?p=28753"},"modified":"2025-01-10T10:42:59","modified_gmt":"2025-01-10T15:42:59","slug":"preliminary-testing-confirms-highly-pathogenic-avian-influenza-in-caroline-county","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/mda\/press-release\/2025\/01\/10\/preliminary-testing-confirms-highly-pathogenic-avian-influenza-in-caroline-county\/","title":{"rendered":"Preliminary Testing Confirms Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in Caroline County\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"

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ANNAPOLIS, MD\u00a0 (January 10, 2025)<\/strong>\u2014 State laboratory testing has detected a case of\u00a0highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza (HPAI)<\/strong>\u00a0in\u00a0Caroline County\u00a0<\/strong>following routine sampling of a broiler operation and investigation by the\u00a0Maryland Department of Agriculture<\/strong>.\u00a0 This marks the first case of H5N1 at a Maryland commercial poultry operation since 2023 and the third commercial operation in the Delmarva region in the last 30 days when two Kent County, DE returned positive results.<\/p>\n

State officials have quarantined all affected premises, and birds on the properties are being or have been depopulated to prevent the spread of the disease. Birds from affected flocks will not enter the food system.<\/p>\n

Confirmation by the\u00a0U.S. Department of Agriculture\u2019s (USDA) National Veterinary Services Laboratory<\/strong>\u00a0is pending with final results anticipated in the coming days.<\/p>\n

\u201cHigh Pathogenic Avian influenza or HPAI does not affect poultry meat or egg products, which remain healthy and safe to eat and handle,\u201d said\u00a0Maryland Department of Agriculture Secretary Kevin Atticks<\/strong>. \u201cThe Maryland Department of Agriculture, local health department, USDA and partner organizations are working diligently to address the situation, including quarantining and testing nearby flocks. We continue to urge commercial growers and backyard flock owners to be on heightened alert for HPAI.\u201d<\/p>\n

Avian influenza is a highly contagious airborne respiratory virus that spreads easily among birds through nasal and eye secretions, as well as manure. The virus can be spread in various ways from flock to flock, including by wild birds, through contact with infected poultry, by equipment, and on the clothing and shoes of caretakers. This virus affects poultry, like chickens, ducks, and turkeys, along with some wild bird species such as ducks, geese, shorebirds, and raptors.<\/p>\n

According to the\u00a0Maryland Department of Health<\/strong>, the risk of transmission between birds and the general public is low.\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong>Those who work directly with poultry or dairy farms may be more at risk and should follow key biosecurity practices.<\/p>\n

The Maryland Department of Agriculture recommends the following common-sense biosecurity steps if\u00a0 HPAI is suspected on personal property , wild birds, or in a commercial operation.\u00a0<\/strong>The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has guidance for farmer workers\u00a0here<\/a>.<\/p>\n