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Millions of Birds Fall to Avian Flu in PA
24 Feb
Summary
- Over 7 million birds affected by avian flu since early 2026.
- Pennsylvania has lost over 14.3 million birds since February 2022.
- New Jersey reports over 1,100 sick or dead wild birds recently.
Pennsylvania is grappling with a significant avian flu crisis, with over 7 million birds in commercial and backyard flocks affected since the beginning of 2026. Data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture highlights that most of these cases have been concentrated in commercial flocks in Lancaster.
The commonwealth has experienced substantial losses, with more than 14.3 million birds succumbing to avian flu since the outbreak began in February 2022. To combat the spread, Governor Josh Shapiro announced the deployment of 42 USDA employees to assist state efforts.
The Pennsylvania Game Commission is also alerting the public to watch for signs of illness in wild birds, especially with increasing migration. Symptoms include neurological issues like circling or head tilting. Avian flu can spread to other animals and humans through feces and saliva, prompting warnings for the public not to touch potentially infected birds.
In a separate but related incident, New Jersey reported over 1,100 dead or sick wild birds between February 14-16, leading to park closures as officials investigated suspected infections among Canadian geese.
