Bird Flu Outbreak Hits Maryland and Delaware, Threatening Poultry Industry

Maryland and Delaware report cases of H5N1 in commercial poultry as experts warn of potential risks to humans and animals.

Maryland has confirmed bird flu cases in three commercial poultry farms, marking its first outbreak in over a year, while Delaware has reported two cases since December.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture reports that over 134 million birds in the commercial poultry industry have been affected since the outbreak began in 2022, with egg prices rising significantly as a result.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention urges hospitals to test flu-positive patients within 24 hours to monitor potential human infections, though human-to-human transmission has not been confirmed.
Wild migratory birds, including snow geese, are believed to be spreading the virus, which has also caused isolated human infections, including one fatality in Louisiana this month.
Efforts to contain the outbreak include culling infected flocks, enhanced surveillance, and the development of new avian flu vaccines, though no vaccines are currently in use.