Pennsylvania Ramps Up Testing as Bird Flu Affects 7.2 Million Birds in 2026
Pennsylvania is expanding its response to highly pathogenic avian influenza, or bird flu, after state officials said more than 14.3 million birds have been lost in the Commonwealth since the current U.S. outbreak began in February 2022.
The state says the pressure has intensified in 2026. Officials said 7.2 million birds have been affected since the start of this year, and that about half of the state's losses since 2022 have occurred since January 2026.
I know farmers are worried given the recent increase in cases," Governor Josh Shapiro said in a statement released by his office.
The Shapiro administration said its response team is now working in 21 locations statewide during the current surge, as it mobilises more personnel and expands testing.
Pennsylvania's plan relies on a mix of state staff, federal support, and university experts, according to the administration's update from Harrisburg.
Officials said 42 U.S. Department of Agriculture employees would be on the ground supporting 55 Commonwealth veterinarians and employees, four Penn State Extension experts, and three members of the Pennsylvania National Guard Civil Support Team. The administration also said it is deploying up to six additional Commonwealth employees to support the response.
The administration framed the effort as aimed at protecting Pennsylvania's poultry sector, which it described as a $7.1 billion industry.
State officials described bird flu as highly infectious and generally fatal to domestic birds, and said speed is central to limiting spread.
A key part of the response is surveillance and testing through the Pennsylvania Animal Diagnostic Laboratory System (PADLS).
The administration said PADLS processed 672,342 bird flu tests between July 1, 2024, and June 30, 2025. That total included more than 200,000 poultry samples and 29,000 cattle samples.
Since January 2026, PADLS has performed 8,000 tests in the last six weeks and tested 80,000 birds in less than two months, the administration said.
When a case is detected, state officials said animal health teams deploy alongside the USDA and local emergency management. They work to quarantine affected sites, conduct testing, and oversee cleaning and disinfection protocols.
NBC10 Philadelphia reported that Shapiro and Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding are scheduled to visit the Lancaster County Rapid Response Center on Feb. 24 for a roundtable with poultry producers and industry leaders. The discussion is expected to be streamed.
Pennsylvania officials also pointed to funding meant to help farms recover and strengthen defences against future outbreaks.
The administration said Pennsylvania is the only state with a dedicated HPAI Recovery Fund and that $75 million has been committed to it since 2022. Officials said $59.45 million is currently in reserve.
They said 300 poultry businesses have received $15.9 million in grants to offset losses and strengthen biosecurity, including disease-prevention improvements on 150 farms.
Separately, the state said Shapiro secured $6 million in the 2024- 25 budget to establish a fourth diagnostic laboratory at Penn State Beaver, aimed at increasing surge capacity and improving statewide surveillance.
The administration said the governor is seeking $11 million for agricultural preparedness and response in his proposed 2026- 27 budget.
Bird flu has primarily been an animal health and agricultural crisis. Still, it has also drawn attention from public health agencies due to infections reported among people who have had close contact with animals.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says A(H5) bird flu is widespread in wild birds worldwide and continues to cause outbreaks in poultry and U.S. dairy cows, with sporadic human cases in U.S. dairy and poultry workers.
The current public health risk remains low," the CDC says, while monitoring continues for people with animal exposures.
In Pennsylvania, the Department of Agriculture said it continues to monitor and respond to bird flu in backyard and commercial flocks. The department also said there are currently no reported cases in Pennsylvania's dairy cattle.
It encouraged dairies to enrol in a voluntary health monitoring programme described on its avian influenza information page.
The administration urged poultry producers to reinforce biosecurity steps during the seasonal migration period, when wild birds can increase the risk of exposure.
Those steps include limiting farm access, using protective clothing and footwear, disinfecting equipment and vehicles, preventing contact with wild birds, and monitoring flock health for unexplained illness or deaths.
The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture also lists reporting lines for suspected illness in poultry and wild birds, as the state continues to track the outbreak and expand its response.