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​​​​​​​Pennsylvania - Avian influenza in wild birds 2024-2026

Pathfinder

Pathfinder

Editor, Senior Moderator
Detections of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in Wild Birds

Last Modified: May 07, 2024
...

State County Collection Date Date Detected HPAI Strain Bird Species WOAH Classification Sampling Method

Pennsylvania Monroe 04/13/2024 05/02/2024 EA H5N1 Bald eagle Wild bird Morbidity/Mortality
Pennsylvania Cumberland 03/19/2024 04/09/2024 EA H5N1 Mallard Wild bird Live bird
Pennsylvania Northampton 03/11/2024 04/09/2024 EA H5N1 Bald eagle Wild bird Morbidity/Mortality
Pennsylvania Erie 02/14/2024 02/29/2024 EA H5N1 Barred owl Wild bird Morbidity/Mortality
Pennsylvania Erie 02/14/2024 02/29/2024 EA H5N1 Red-tailed hawk Wild bird Morbidity/Mortality
Pennsylvania Union 02/14/2024 02/29/2024 EA H5N1 Red-tailed hawk Wild bird Morbidity/Mortality
Pennsylvania Wyoming 02/01/2024 02/21/2024 EA H5N1 Bald eagle Wild bird Morbidity/Mortality
Pennsylvania Berks 01/29/2024 02/12/2024 EA H5N1 House sparrow Wild bird Morbidity/Mortality
Pennsylvania Lancaster 12/19/2023 02/09/2024 EA H5N1 American black duck Wild bird Hunter harvest
Pennsylvania Lancaster 01/29/2024 02/09/2024 EA H5N1 Red-tailed hawk Wild bird Morbidity/Mortality
Pennsylvania Lancaster 01/26/2024 02/09/2024 EA H5N1 Red-tailed hawk Wild bird Morbidity/Mortality
Pennsylvania Crawford 01/24/2024 02/09/2024 EA H5N1 Canada goose Wild bird Morbidity/Mortality
Pennsylvania Lebanon 12/25/2023 01/30/2024 EA/AM H5N1 Red-tailed hawk Wild bird Morbidity/Mortality
Pennsylvania Mercer 01/02/2024 01/30/2024 EA H5N1 Ring-billed gull Wild bird Morbidity/Mortality
Pennsylvania Fayette 12/08/2023 01/30/2024 EA/AM H5N1 Tundra swan Wild bird Morbidity/Mortality
...

https://www.aphis.usda.gov/livestoc...an/avian-influenza/hpai-detections/wild-birds
 
January 2, 2025​

200 snow geese dead in Lehigh, Northampton counties; bird flu likely cause


BETHLEHEM, Pa. — About 200 snow geese were found dead Monday in Lehigh and Northampton counties, and state officials said avian influenza likely is to blame.

Dead birds were recovered from Lower Nazareth Township and Upper Macungie Township, according to a Thursday news release from the state Game Commission.
​
“The situation is ongoing as sick wild birds were also observed at both locations.”​


Pennsylvania Game Commission release​


“Preliminary in-state testing indicated the presence of highly pathogenic AI" HPAI, officials said.

“While results are yet to be confirmed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture [USDA] at their National Veterinary Services Laboratories, HPAI is presumed to be the cause of these mortality events.
​
Residents who encounter sick or dead wild birds can report them to the state Game Commission by calling 1-833-PGC-WILD (1-833-742-9453), by emailing pgc-wildlifehealth@pa.gov or by using the online Wildlife Health Survey tool.​

https://www.lehighvalleynews.com/en...gh-northampton-counties-bird-flu-likely-cause
​
 
Facebook

Pennsylvania Game Commission


2h ·
Avian influenza (AI) is suspected to have caused the death of hundreds of snow geese found Monday in the greater Allentown area.
Dead geese were recovered from two sites, one in Lower Nazareth Township, Northampton County and another in Upper Macungie Township, Lehigh County.
Those encountering other sick or dead wild birds can report them to the Pennsylvania Game Commission.
1f4f1.png
Call: 1-833-PGC-WILD
1f4e8.png
Email: pgc-wildlifehealth@pa.gov
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Online: https://www.pgcapps.pa.gov/WHS
Any sick or dead domestic birds should be reported to Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture at 717-772-2852.
If you've had contact with sick or dead birds and are not feeling well, contact your primary care physician or the Pennsylvania Department of Health at 877-724-3258.
Waterfowl hunters are encouraged to continue participating in the remaining season but should take precautions while handling and dressing birds. While AI could infect humans, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has declared that HPAI is primarily an animal health issue that poses low risk to the health of the public.
The public is reminded to never handle wildlife that is sick or displaying signs of sickness. Instead, report it to the Game Commission.​

https://www.facebook.com/PennsylvaniaGameCommission/posts/1014507064044987?ref=embed_post
 
Avian flu suspected after 200 snow geese found dead in Pennsylvania

​ Jan 2, 2025​

ALLENTOWN, Pa. (WHTM)– Around 200 snow geese were found dead in the greater Allentown area on Monday, and officials suspect Avian influenza as the cause.

According to the Pennsylvania Game Commission, the dead birds were found in two locations: Nazareth Township in Northampton County and Upper Macungie Township in Lehigh County. In-state testing of the birds indicated the presence of highly pathogenic Avian influenza
​
continued: https://www.abc27.com/pennsylvania/...er-200-snow-geese-found-dead-in-pennsylvania/
 
Poconos - Monroe County
January 10, 2025​
[bolding is mine]

Avian flu continuing to spread among birds in the Poconos


MONROE COUNTY, Pa. — The Wilderz at Pocono Wildlife have been on the front lines, doing what they can to prevent the spread of the avian flu.

Dead snow geese have recently been collected from the Lehigh Valley, just on the edge of Monroe County.
​
"People are dropping off birds, and they're either having to be immediately euthanized, or they are dead on arrival. So it's pretty scary. Luckily, we have a quarantine area," explained co-director Susan Downing
-snip-
Staff from Pocono Wildlife tell us they don't have the permits needed to collect the dead birds but are worried about the virus infecting other animals.

"We've also gotten calls about foxes not acting right, and they are the ones that eat the carrion, and they are the ones eating what has not been cleaned up," said Downing

Wildlife experts believe the flu is spreading up the Route 33 corridor, so people should be cautious when outdoors.

"People who go into parks where snow geese are, my suggestion please do not come back to your home and wear the same shoes into your house, we don't want it spreading to your domestics and that can happen," said Downing.

Anyone with dead birds on their property should contact the Pennsylvania Game Commission by calling 1-833-PGC-WILD or emailing pgc-wildlifehealth@pa.gov.
​
​
​
 
Source: https://www.wnep.com/article/news/l...ease/523-5f3e82d4-60fc-4528-87f0-ab2bc513a4e3

Avian flu detected in Carbon County
Newswatch 16's Emily Kress spoke with officials from the Pennsylvania Game Commission about the spread to two Canada geese.​
Author: Emily Kress
Published: 4:54 PM EST January 17, 2025
Updated: 4:54 PM EST January 17, 2025


CARBON COUNTY, Pa. — The Pennsylvania Game Commission is on high alert as the avian flu continues to spread to raptors and waterfowl across the commonwealth.

One reason for that spread is the migration of infected snow geese. For weeks, the Lehigh Valley area has served as a hot spot...

​
 
Game wardens went to shoot geese near Nazareth in bird flu fight and found 1,000s already dead

Game wardens went to shoot geese near Nazareth in bird flu fight and found 1,000s already dead (UPDATE)

Updated: Jan. 18, 2025, 9:06 a.m.
Published: Jan. 17, 2025, 1:22 p.m.​By
Kurt Bresswein​

UPDATE: The Pennsylvania Game Commission says its depopulation effort to stem the spread of bird flu in migratory fowl at a Nazareth area quarry will result in the disposal of about 5,000 snow geese. This total includes an estimated 150 announced Jan. 2, 450 that were shot by game wardens and the birds found dead there this past week, commission spokesman Travis Lau said.​ ...

https://www.lehighvalleylive.com/ou...-and-found-100s-maybe-1000s-already-dead.html
 
Source: https://www.lehighvalleynews.com/en...urgence-of-hpai-in-pennsylvania-officials-say

5,000 snow geese affected: The Lehigh Valley is ‘the epicenter of resurgence of HPAI in Pennsylvania,’ officials say
LehighValleyNews.com | By Molly Bilinski
Published January 22, 2025 at 7:00 AM EST​

BETHLEHEM, Pa. — When flocks of thousands of healthy snow geese glide over the Lehigh Valley’s rooftops, their honking and wing-flapping almost sounds like a carefully choreographed performance as they migrate through the region.

When they’re infected with HPAI, or highly pathogenic avian influenza, commonly referred to as bird flu or H5N1, snow geese start acting strangely — the complete opposite of the grace they display in flight.

“It’s very neurological,” said Kat Schuster, a licensed wildlife rehabilitator and lead clinic manager at Pocono Wildlife Rehabilitation & Education Center.

“It affects them where they're basically head shaking, head bobbing, disoriented.

“Once they get to that stage of the disease, they can't fly, and they literally just fall out to the ground. At the end of that is they're throwing up blood. That's the last stage.”

Bird flu has landed in the Lehigh Valley, contributing to the deaths of about 5,000 migrating snow geese in both Lehigh and Northampton counties...


​
 
Source: https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/health/avian-flu-philadelphia-goose/4085698/


Sick goose is 1st case of bird flu in Philly amid national outbreak
A sick snow goose was discovered in West Philadelphia on Jan. 11, 2025, the city health department says
By Dan Stamm • Published 41 seconds ago • Updated 36 seconds ago​

Avian influenza or bird flu is a disease that naturally spreads among wild aquatic birds worldwide, as well as domestic poultry and other bird and animal species.

A sick snow goose found in West Philadelphia earlier this month has tested positive for the avian influenza A(H5), making it the first bird in the city to test positive for the highly-pathogenic bird flu, according to Philadelphia health officials.

The Pennsylvania Department of Health first alerted the Philadelphia Department of Health of the sick bird being found along the 1200 block of North 59th Street -- near Carroll Park -- on Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025, city health officials said on Jan. 22, 2025.

Preliminary in-state testing determined the goose had the bird flu.​..
 
[Bolding is mine]
City of Philadelphia Department of Health

City Reports Goose as First Suspected Case of Avian Influenza in Philadelphia
For immediate release: January 22, 2025​


The Health Department reports that the risk to the general public remains low. No people in Philadelphia are known to have been infected with avian influenza at this time.
PHILADELPHIA—On Saturday, January 18, 2025, the Philadelphia Department of Public Health was notified by the Pennsylvania Department of Health that an ill snow goose, found on the 1200 block of North 59[SUP]th[/SUP] Street in West Philadelphia near Carroll Park on Saturday, January 11, 2025, had highly pathogenic avian influenza A(H5), commonly known as bird flu, infection based on preliminary in-state testing.

This is the first bird found in Philadelphia during the current nationwide outbreak. The Health Department also reminds Philadelphians to keep an eye out for sick wild birds, stay away from them, and contact the Pennsylvania Game Commission via telephone at 833-PGC-Hunt (833-722-4868), email at pgc-wildlifehealth@pa.gov, or the online Wildlife Health Surveytool.

“The threat to Philadelphians from H5N1 remains low, but we are issuing this alert out of an abundance of caution,” said Dr. Palak Raval-Nelson, Commissioner, Philadelphia Department of Public Health. “We continue to monitor the situation both here in Philadelphia and across the country. You can help by staying away from wild birds and reporting sick or dead birds to the Pennsylvania Game Commission by calling 833-PGC-Hunt, emailing at pgc-wildlifehealth@pa.gov, or completing their online Wildlife Health Survey tool.”
​

Any resident in the area of Carroll Park who may have had direct contact with a sick snow goose on or around Saturday, January 11, 2025 should call the Philadelphia Department of Public Health’s Division of Disease Control at 215-685-6741.

The Health Department recommends that it’s best to stay away from wild birds, especially waterfowl, such as geese and ducks, as they are common carriers of bird flu. If you do see sick birds or other animals or unusual bird or other animal deaths, report them to the Pennsylvania Game Commission via telephone at 833-PGC-Hunt (833-722-4868), email at pgc-wildlifehealth@pa.gov or their online Wildlife Health Surveytool. Do not touch sick or injured wild animals. Residents with concerns about sick backyard chickens should contact the PA Bureau of Animal Health and Diagnostic Services 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 717-772-2852 option 1.

Avian influenza has been in the local news recently, including snow geese deaths at two locations in the Lehigh Valley and 2 poultry farms in Delaware. Nationally, nearly 1,000 dairy herds have tested positive for this flu. More than 60 people across the country have now tested positive for H5N1, and one person has died. The vast majority of those who have tested positive were exposed directly to poultry farms or dairy herds.
​
For the latest information, see the Health Department’s regularly updated blog post on H5N1 avian influenza in Philadelphia.​

https://www.phila.gov/2025-01-22-ci...ed-case-of-avian-influenza-in-philadelphia-2/
 
January 27, 2025
Officials: Dead geese discovered at Gettysburg College pond test positive for bird flu

Geese that were found dead near a college pond in Adams County have tested positive for avian influenza, according to officials.

On Sunday, Jan. 26, 2025, Gettysburg College issued a statement to the campus community informing them of the news, which came after a Jan. 18, 2025 statement that first announced the finding of dead geese near the college's Quarry Pond.

The deceased geese located at Quarry Pond had been collected by the Pennsylvania Game Commission, which conducted testing on the bodies. Those tests came back positive, according to Gettysburg College officials.
​
The pond is the largest body of water within Gettysburg borough and draws local and migratory birds to its waters.
-snip-
Gettysburg College has been in contact with WellSpan, which provides medical services to the college, and said that WellSpan's Infection and Control Prevention team are monitoring the situation

https://www.yahoo.com/news/officials-dead-geese-discovered-gettysburg-141112540.html

Please also see:

January 21, 2025​
Gettysburg College pond closed over bird flu fears as dead geese continue to be found

The college first issued a statement to the college community regarding the death of several Canada geese found near the college's Quarry Pond in Gettysburg Borough on Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025.

In that statement, the college advised that several geese had been found dead on Saturday, and were being tested by the game commission for bird flu
​
continued: https://www.yahoo.com/news/gettysburg-college-pond-closed-over-224639209.html

​
​
 
Published: Feb. 03, 2025​
‘Yeah, it’s rough’: 5 bird flu takeaways from Pa. Game Commission update

​
Pennsylvania’s Respiratory Virus Dashboard shows seasonal flu activity is high and rising, with rates of Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) also high but decreasing. COVID-19 emergency department visits have dropped even as residents continue to test positive nearly five years into the coronavirus era.

The Pennsylvania Board of Game Commissioners at its first quarterly meeting of 2025 last Friday and Saturday got an update on a different kind of virus that’s impacting the state: bird flu, or Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza.

Game Commission Wildlife Veterinarian Andrew DiSalvo in the update touched on the challenges of confronting an infectious disease circulating in nature.

“But at the end of the day, there’s only so much that we can control, and I use that word control pretty loosely,” DiSalvo told the board. “This is something ... that we’re going to have to live with, deal with, try to be as proactive as we can with — but it’s just really inherently challenging.”

“Sorry,” he offered. “Yeah, it’s rough.”

Here are five takeaways or highlights from DiSalvo’s report, which you can watch at this YouTube link.
​[posted here also]

continued: https://www.pennlive.com/outdoors/2...pa-game-commission-update.html?outputType=amp
 
Detections of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in Wild Birds

Last Modified: February 11, 2025
...
State County Collection Date Date Detected HPAI Strain Bird Species WOAH Classification Sampling Method
PennsylvaniaColumbia1/25/20252/6/2025EA H5N1Goose (unidentified)Wild birdMorbidity/Mortality
PennsylvaniaColumbia1/25/20252/6/2025EA H5N1Goose (unidentified)Wild birdMorbidity/Mortality
PennsylvaniaColumbia1/25/20252/6/2025EA H5N1Goose (unidentified)Wild birdMorbidity/Mortality
PennsylvaniaLancaster1/16/20251/27/2025EA H5MallardWild birdHunter harvest
PennsylvaniaLehigh12/30/20241/6/2025EA H5Snow gooseWild birdMorbidity/Mortality
PennsylvaniaLancaster12/25/202310/30/2024EA H5N1American black duckWild birdHunter harvest
PennsylvaniaLancaster12/25/202310/30/2024EA H5N1MallardWild birdHunter harvest
PennsylvaniaLancaster12/25/202310/30/2024EA H5N1American black duckWild birdHunter harvest
...

https://www.aphis.usda.gov/livestoc...an/avian-influenza/hpai-detections/wild-birds
 
February 27, 2025

Sick bald eagle that died after rescue in Bethlehem tested positive for bird flu

A bald eagle that was rescued in Bethlehem and later died at a wildlife rehabilitation facility in the Poconos has tested positive for bird flu.

The Pocono Wildlife Rehabilitation and Education Center, said the female eagle was taken to the facility Feb. 13 after receiving a report that it could not fly. Rehab facility employees and members of the Pennsylvania Game Commission found the eagle and brought it to the facility, where it was placed under quarantine. The bird died the next day.

Travis Lau, a game commission spokesman, said the eagle was recovered in Bethlehem.
​
more...https://www.mcall.com/2025/02/27/si...ue-in-bethlehem-tested-positive-for-bird-flu/
 
hat tip @Greg Folkers


Bird flu devastates Cranberry’s Seggond Chance Farm, a sanctuary for misfit birds

Hundreds of birds, including a celebrated deformed hen, were among the casualties of an HPAI outbreak

March 2, 2025


snip

The U.S. Department of Agriculture confirmed the Butler County bird flu infection on Feb. 20. It detected HPAI at the Butler farm classified as a non-commercial “backyard flock” of 610 domestic birds and wild ducks.​

more... https://www.post-gazette.com/news/h...ance-farm-cranberry-hpai/stories/202503010058
​
 
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