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The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture confirmed Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) infections in poultry operations across Cumberland, Dauphin, Lancaster, Lebanon, and Lehigh counties. The outbreak follows the state’s first confirmed case of 2025 on Jan. 27, when a 50,000-bird flock in Lehigh County tested positive.
To help fight the spread, Governor Josh Shapiro signed HB 324 into law, expanding Pennsylvania’s Certified Poultry Technician program. The bill, led by Rep. Johanny Cepeda-Freytiz, allows legal residents (non-citizens) to become certified after completing state training, helping address a critical shortage of trained workers who can monitor and test poultry flocks.
“Our Administration has worked aggressively and proactively in response to Hi-Path Avian Influenza, and we have taken steps to communicate directly with our farmers – from our major commercial sites to our Amish community – and encourage them to put biosecurity measures in place,” Shapiro said.
Industry leaders say the expanded workforce is crucial to preventing further devastation. Chris Herr, Executive Vice President of Penn Ag Industries, called HPAI an ongoing national crisis and said this law will help fix a technician shortage that has slowed testing efforts.
“This bill will give us the people resources we currently lack as an industry,” Herr said.
Avian influenza is spreading rapidly through Pennsylvania, hitting commercial poultry farms in multiple counties and triggering an aggressive multi-agency response to contain the virus, state officials announced Thursday, Feb. 6.
📸 Shocking photos show dumpsters filled with thousands of dead geese as state officials work to curb the crisis. See the full story here.
No Risk To Public, But Biosecurity Measures Tightened
While avian flu is highly infectious and often fatal in birds, there is no immediate risk to human health, and poultry and dairy products remain safe to consume if properly handled and cooked, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Health.
However, officials warn that the virus can spread through clothing and vehicles, urging the public to avoid farms and respect biosecurity zones.
What Pennsylvanians Need To Know:
🔸 Poultry farmers should check the PADLS control zone map to determine if they are in a restricted area.
🔸 Wildlife watchers should report sick or dead wild birds to the PA Game Commission at 1-833-PGC-WILD (742-9453).
🔸 Anyone feeling unwell after contact with birds should call their doctor or the PA Department of Health at 877-724-3258.
The Shapiro Administration is pushing for millions in new funding to expand Pennsylvania’s animal testing capacity and fortify protections for its $132 billion agriculture industry. Learn more about the state’s response and budget proposals at shapirobudget.pa.gov.
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