{"id":28767,"date":"2025-01-15T20:15:17","date_gmt":"2025-01-16T01:15:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/mda\/?p=28767"},"modified":"2025-01-15T20:15:17","modified_gmt":"2025-01-16T01:15:17","slug":"preliminary-testing-confirms-highly-pathogenic-avian-influenza-in-second-caroline-county-farm","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/mda\/press-release\/2025\/01\/15\/preliminary-testing-confirms-highly-pathogenic-avian-influenza-in-second-caroline-county-farm\/","title":{"rendered":"Preliminary Testing Confirms Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in Second Caroline County Farm"},"content":{"rendered":"

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HPAI SITUATION UPDATE<\/i><\/b>: January 15, 2025<\/span><\/p>\n

An additional commercial broiler flock in Caroline County, MD within the initial control area of the first Caroline County positive farm announced on January 10, 2025, has tested presumptive positive for H5 avian influenza at the Salisbury Animal Health Laboratory, part of the National Animal Health Laboratory Network. Additional samples have been sent to the U.S. Department of Agriculture\u2019s National Veterinary Services Laboratory (NVSL) for further confirmation.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Maryland Department of Agriculture has quarantined the affected premises, and the birds on the property are being depopulated to prevent the spread of disease. Birds from the affected flock will not enter the food system.<\/span><\/p>\n

All announcements and pertinent information regarding the HPAI situation in Maryland will be posted at <\/span>www.mda.maryland.gov\/avianflu<\/span><\/a>. Situation updates will be issued in the event of new cases in Caroline County, MD.<\/span><\/p>\n

BACKGROUND<\/b><\/p>\n

Avian influenza is a highly contagious airborne respiratory virus that spreads quickly among birds through nasal and eye secretions and manure. The virus can be spread from flock to flock, including flocks of wild birds, through contact with infected poultry, equipment, and the clothing and shoes of caretakers. This virus affects poultry, like chickens, ducks, and turkeys, and some wild bird species, such as ducks, geese, shorebirds, and raptors.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

As Maryland has previously announced presumptive positive H5 test results in snow geese, and along with two additional commercial poultry cases, the Maryland Department of Agriculture continues to urge all poultry owners to increase their vigilance in protecting their flocks.<\/span><\/p>\n

IF YOU HAVE SICK POULTRY OR EXPERIENCE INCREASED MORTALITY<\/b><\/p>\n