The Maryland Department of Agriculture has announced a second case in Maryland of highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza (HPAI) of a commercial operation in Queen Anne’s County following routine sampl

According to a news release, the DNR has increased its contract with the USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) to enhance the disposal of dead birds that might carry Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI). The contract expansion, amounting to $30,000, will provide additional wildlife technicians in the state through September.

A case of the avian influenza, commonly known as bird flu, was confirmed in Caroline County, and it marks the first case at one of Maryland’s commercial poultry facilities since 2023.

Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) has been confirmed in two commercial meat turkey flocks in Ohio and one commercial broiler flock in Maryland. According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), all three flock infections were confirmed on January 14.

The news comes in the midst of HPAI cases in a commercial poultry operation in Kent County, Del., plus one in Caroline County, Maryland.

Dog owners should wipe paws after their pets chase geese to remove any feces that could be tracked around or licked off. Cats have died after exposure to avian influenza in milk, so cat owners may want to keep those pets inside and away from wild bird areas, Lopez said.

The virus was detected in a backyard flock in the U.S. territory, as well as in commercial poultry in Maryland and two Canadian provinces.

Atticks said sick birds had been quarantined and that Marylanders should not change their diets because of the single bird flu case found in a person.

The news comes in the midst of HPAI cases in a commercial poultry operation in Kent County, Del., plus one in Caroline County, Maryland.

A flock of chickens at a second Caroline County farm tested positive for Bird Flu, the Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA) said Wednesday. This is the third reported case in the state.

A warning for poultry farmers, high path avian influenza, or the bird flu, has hit Delaware and Maryland. Officials urge you to be on the lookout for any unusual deaths or sick birds as the bird flu has already hit commercial poultry operations in those states.