The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture on Monday announced this year’s first positive case in the state of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in domestic poultry.

The positive samples were detected in a 50,000-bird layer chicken flock on a commercial poultry farm in Lehigh County, the department said. The farm and commercial poultry facilities within a 10-kilometer radius of the infected flock are under quarantine.

There was an indication there is a presence of the positive strain from preliminary samples, which have been shipped off to a USDA National Veterinary Services Laboratory for confirmation.

The department said a state and federal interagency task force is on the farm carrying out a comprehensive response plan to help keep the virus from spreading further.

This marks the first confirmed case in commercial poultry in the state since February 2024, the department said. The last detection in domestic birds was in a backyard flock in October 2024 in Venango County.

The disease is considered to be highly infectious and can be fatal to domestic birds such as chickens, ducks, geese, quail and turkeys.

“No infections in dairy cattle or humans have been detected in Pennsylvania to date,” the department said. “The virus has infected dairy cattle in states further west, but cattle are not sickened to the degree that birds are. Milk that has been pasteurized is safe to drink.”

While there have been positive samples of bird flu in other states, mainly in workers in close contact with infected poultry and dairy cattle, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, avian influenza presents a very low risk to human health.

The department said poultry products and eggs are safe to eat if cooked properly.

“With this confirmed positive infection in Pennsylvania and confirmed infections in poultry in surrounding states, the threat is clear and heightened,” said Pennsylvania Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding in a press statement.

“Vigilant biosecurity on both poultry and dairy farms and on any farm that raises birds is the key to minimizing the spread of the virus,” Redding said. “Throughout the outbreak, the Shapiro Administration has worked to protect Pennsylvania farmers and our dairy and poultry industries from HPAI. Our close coordination and support from the federal government has been critical, and we must continue working together at all levels to combat this virus.”

Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza is mainly spread through direct contact between healthy birds and bodily waste from infected birds.

The disease can cause sudden death without clinical signs; lack of energy and appetite; decreased egg production; soft-shelled or misshapen eggs; swelling of the head, eyelids, comb, wattles, and hocks; purple discoloration of the wattles, combs, and legs; nasal discharge, coughing, sneezing, lack of coordination and diarrhea.

Anyone who suspects poultry is infected with avian influenza, can report concerns 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to the Pennsylvania Bureau of Animal Health and Diagnostic Services at 717-772-2852, option 1.

Sick or dead wild birds should be reported to the Pennsylvania Game Commission at 1-833-742-9453.

If you have had contact with sick or dead birds and are not feeling well, please contact your primary care physician or the Pennsylvania Department of Health at 877-724-3258.

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