Bird Flu Update: US Poultry Sector Stabilizes Amid Ongoing Vigilance

In the United States, agricultural leaders report bird flu, or high-path avian influenza (HPAI), is increasingly under control, with Pennsylvania showcasing a poultry comeback at last week's Farm Show in Harrisburg. WVIA News highlights that no recent confirmed cases have hit Northeast or Central Pennsylvania, per USDA data as of January 21, with the state logging just one commercial flock and three backyard flocks affected, totaling 35,540 birds. Nationally, the USDA tallies 67 confirmed flocks over the last 30 days, impacting 1.48 million birds, mostly backyard operations across 29 states—Hawaii and Alaska remain untouched.

Pennsylvania Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding, speaking to WVIA, called bird flu a top 2026 priority, praising biosecurity measures that have curbed spread since the 2022 outbreak in Lancaster County. The state leads uniquely with its HPAI Recovery Reimbursement Grant, offering up to $25,000 per farmer from a $2 million fund. Biosecurity educator Capri Stiles-Mikesell of Penn State Extension demonstrated live birds at the show, stressing simple protections like dedicated boots, disinfectants, and isolated feed stations to deter wild birds.

Globally and in the US, concerns linger from 2025's severe cases, including a fatal Louisiana infection in an elderly patient exposed to sick birds, as detailed by The Transmission at UNMC. California Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency late that year after detections in raw milk, dairy farms, and even children, per LA Times reports. Yet, 2026 headlines have quieted, with no major flares in the last 24 hours.

Experts like Redding affirm, "We've been fortunate... We're doing the right things." Poultry displays returned after quarantines, signaling industry resilience.

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