HARRISBURG, PA — The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture is ramping up its response to combat Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) following confirmed cases affecting commercial poultry operations in five counties. This coordinated effort, involving state and federal agencies, aims to safeguard the state’s vital agriculture industry from the devastating impacts of the virus.
Initial testing in Pennsylvania identified the first confirmed HPAI case of 2025 on January 27 in a 50,000-bird poultry flock located in Lehigh County. Samples tested through the Pennsylvania Animal Diagnostic Laboratory System (PADLS) revealed a severe strain of H5N1, which has caused the loss of over 22.75 million birds nationwide in the past month alone. Additional suspected cases have since been reported in Cumberland, Dauphin, Lancaster, Lebanon, and Lehigh Counties, with extensive quarantines and testing protocols now in place.
“These investments are enabling us to respond swiftly and aggressively to this crisis,” said Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding. “We’re taking every measure to protect our poultry and dairy industries, which are essential to Pennsylvania’s economy.”
Coordinated Response Measures
The Department of Agriculture, working alongside the USDA, has implemented strict biosecurity procedures to prevent the spread of the virus. Quarantines have been enforced at all affected facilities, while commercial poultry farms within a 10-kilometer radius of outbreaks face movement restrictions and mandatory surveillance testing. Dairy farms within a smaller three-kilometer radius are also subject to monitoring to prevent further spread.
Key elements of the state’s mitigation plan include:
- Accelerated sample testing and security protocols at PADLS labs.
- Continued availability of personal protective equipment for farmworkers.
- Collaboration with agencies like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to ensure public health and food safety.
Pennsylvania’s response also incorporates a robust public awareness campaign, urging residents to avoid farms and report sick or dead wild birds to authorities without physical contact.
Proposed Budget Investments
Governor Josh Shapiro’s 2025-2026 budget proposes significant new funding to enhance the state’s readiness to manage this and future animal health crises. Measures include:
- A $2 million investment to maintain Pennsylvania’s newly operational animal testing lab in the western region, which supplements the state’s three existing PADLS facilities. These labs collectively tested over 207,000 poultry samples for HPAI in 2024 alone.
- An additional $13 million through the Ag Innovation Fund to support sustainable farming practices and the adoption of advanced technologies, with awards targeted at long-term industry resilience.
“Continued investments in infrastructure and innovation are fundamental to the future of Pennsylvania agriculture,” Governor Shapiro said during his budget address, emphasizing the need for proactive measures to mitigate risks to the state’s agricultural economy.
Broader Agricultural Implications
Poultry and dairy are key components of Pennsylvania’s $132.5 billion agriculture industry, which encompasses more than 53,000 farms statewide and supports over 600,000 jobs. While HPAI poses no immediate health risk to humans or the broader public, it is highly contagious and can lead to significant mortality in poultry. Protecting this sector is critical to the economic stability of the state’s farming communities.
Although the virus has not yet been detected in dairy cattle or humans within the Commonwealth, state officials remain vigilant, with proactive measures in place to manage potential cross-sector threats.
Looking Ahead
Pennsylvania’s comprehensive response to HPAI reflects a commitment to protecting the state’s agriculture industry and the farmers who sustain it. By prioritizing biosecurity measures, advancing diagnostic resources, and backing these efforts with substantial financial investment, the state is mitigating immediate threats while paving the way for a more resilient agricultural future. These measures aim to bolster Pennsylvania’s status as a national leader in agriculture and ensure its economic viability for generations to come.
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