Officials in the Washington area are on high alert after bird flu was confirmed at three poultry farms in Maryland and Delaware, impacting over 500,000 chickens.
The Maryland Department of Agriculture reported a case of highly pathogenic avian influenza (H5N1) in Caroline County following routine sampling. This marks the first detection of avian flu in Maryland’s commercial poultry since 2023 and the third case in the Delmarva region within 30 days, following two cases in Kent County. Additionally, the strain has been found in wild birds across both states.
Experts have emphasized that the risk of bird flu spreading to humans remains low. However, concerns persist, especially after a man in Louisiana became the first person in the U.S. to contract and die from avian influenza.
H5N1 is a highly contagious respiratory virus that primarily affects birds, spreading through nasal secretions, eye discharge, and manure. Seasonal migrations of ducks, geese, and swans during fall and spring often facilitate its transmission. The virus spreads among flocks via wild birds, contact with infected poultry, contaminated equipment, or even the clothing and footwear of caretakers. It impacts various species, including chickens, ducks, turkeys, and wild birds such as geese, shorebirds, and raptors.