Pennsylvania Faces “Unprecedented” Avian Flu Outbreak: Worst Since the 1980s

Pennsylvania is confronting what officials are calling an “unprecedented” highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) outbreak, with state veterinarian Dr. Alex Hamberg describing it as the worst outbreak since the 1980s during a February 24, 2026 roundtable at the Lancaster County Rapid Response Center.

Scale of the Crisis

The outbreak has triggered massive deployment of resources across the state:

• 55 veterinarians and employees actively combating spread
• 4 Penn State Extension experts providing technical support
• 3 Pennsylvania National Guard Civilian Support members assisting operations
• 672,342 HPAI tests processed by Pennsylvania Animal Diagnostic Laboratory System (PADLS)
• Over 200,000 poultry samples tested
• 29,000 cattle samples examined
• 8,000 tests conducted in the past six weeks alone

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Why Lancaster County?

Dr. Hamberg’s analysis reveals several factors contributing to the severity in Lancaster County specifically:

High Density Operations

• Concentrated poultry production facilities
• Proximity of operations increases transmission risk
• Complex supply chains facilitate spread

Wildlife Vectors

• Migratory bird flyways intersect with production areas
• Wild waterfowl serve as viral reservoirs
• Seasonal migration patterns align with outbreak timing

Cross-Species Implications

The outbreak extends beyond poultry, with significant dairy cattle involvement:

Bovine Reproductive Tissue Susceptibility

Recent research published in Scientific Reports (February 20, 2026) documents avian and human influenza A virus receptors in male and female bovine reproductive tissues, raising critical questions about:

• Viral entry mechanisms in cattle
• Replication potential in reproductive organs
• Long-term herd health implications

Financial Support Programs

USDA provides comprehensive assistance:

• Poultry indemnity: Fair market value for destroyed birds
• Dairy herd assistance: Milk loss compensation via ELAP
• Up to $10,000 for veterinary costs per infected cattle operation
• Biosecurity upgrades: Up to $25,000 per premises
• PPE costs coverage for enhanced protection

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Clinical Management Protocols

For Poultry Operations

Immediate Response:

1. Quarantine suspected premises immediately
2. Contact PADLS for rapid diagnostic testing (results within 24-48 hours)
3. Implement emergency biosecurity measures
4. Document all bird movements and contacts

Testing Priorities:

• Sudden mortality increases (>2% daily)
• Respiratory signs in multiple birds
• Decreased egg production (>5% drop)
• Neurological symptoms in any birds

For Dairy Cattle

Monitoring Protocols:

1. Daily temperature checks on lactating animals
2. Milk production monitoring for sudden drops
3. Respiratory symptom surveillance
4. Reproductive health tracking given tissue susceptibility findings

Biosecurity Enhancement:

• Restrict farm access to essential personnel only
• Enhance disinfection protocols at entry/exit points
• Monitor wild bird activity near facilities
• Separate cattle from poultry operations where possible

Public Health Considerations

Zoonotic Potential

While H5N1 rarely affects humans, veterinarians and farm workers face elevated risk through:

• Direct contact with infected animals
• Contaminated equipment and surfaces
• Aerosol exposure during procedures

Protection Protocols:

• N95 respirators during all animal contact
• Eye protection mandatory
• Disposable coveralls and boot covers
• Hand hygiene immediately after animal contact

Regional Impact Assessment

Economic Consequences

The outbreak affects Pennsylvania’s:

• $1.6 billion poultry industry
• Dairy sector (5th largest in U.S.)
• Feed grain markets
• Rural employment stability

Supply Chain Disruption

• Processing plant shutdowns
• Transportation restrictions
• Feed delivery challenges
• Market price volatility

Critical Success Factors

Pennsylvania’s response demonstrates several key principles:

1. Rapid deployment of diagnostic capabilities
2. Multi-agency coordination between state and federal resources
3. Industry partnership with producers and supply chains
4. Transparent communication with stakeholders and public
5. Financial support to maintain compliance and cooperation

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Lessons for Other States

Pennsylvania’s experience offers guidance for other regions:

Preparedness Elements

• Pre-positioned diagnostic capability reduces response time
• Cross-training veterinarians in multiple species enhances flexibility
• Regular simulation exercises identify gaps before real outbreaks
• Industry engagement before crises improves cooperation

Resource Planning

• Sufficient PPE stockpiles for extended operations
• Transportation logistics for sample collection
• Laboratory surge capacity for high-volume testing
• Personnel rotation to prevent fatigue and maintain effectiveness

The Pennsylvania outbreak serves as a stark reminder that HPAI remains a significant threat to both animal agriculture and public health, requiring sustained vigilance and rapid response capabilities across all veterinary practice settings.

References

• WGAL Lancaster. “Why is avian flu so bad in Lancaster County | Pa. state veterinarian explains.” February 24, 2026.
• Farm Progress. “Pennsylvania facing ‘unprecedented’ avian flu outbreak.” February 20, 2026.
• Scientific Reports. “Spatial localization of avian and human influenza A virus receptors in male and female bovine reproductive tissues.” February 20, 2026.
• News From The States. “Pennsylvania deploys more resources to combat avian flu.” February 19, 2026.
• CDC. “A(H5) Bird Flu: Current Situation.” February 18, 2026.