Protecting Poultry on Delmarva is a Priority
With increased concern for the safety of all poultry on Delmarva, the Delaware Department of Agriculture (DDA) announced today the cancellation of all poultry-related sessions at Delaware Ag Week. This includes the Monday, January 13 afternoon and evening poultry sessions, along with the Small Flock Poultry Session on Wednesday, January 15.
Update on Delaware H5 Avian Influenza Case on Kent County Farm
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Veterinary Services Laboratory (NVSL) has returned results from the Kent County, Del. poultry farm that was announced presumptive positive for H5 avian influenza on January 3, 2025. The poultry affected had highly pathogenic H5 avian influenza (HPAI) of the Eurasian lineage 2.3.4.4b with early indications that the virus is the D1.1 genotype found in wild birds; however, confirmation of the genotype is determined by sequencing. There is currently no timeline for the receipt of this data by the Delaware Department of Agriculture.
Snow Geese Test Presumptive Positive for Avian Influenza; Delaware poultry producers encouraged to take precautions
DNREC and DDA announced today that laboratory testing conducted by the University of Delaware’s Allen Laboratory has returned presumptive positive findings of H5 avian influenza in sick and dead snow geese collected on December 27, 2024, in coastal Sussex County.
DNREC Cautions That Stricken Snow Geese Found Along Sussex Coast May Have Contracted Avian Influenza
DNREC announced that a number of snow geese found sick or dead Dec. 27 in coastal waters of Sussex County have been sent to the University of Delaware Poultry Health System laboratory to determine if they fell victim to the highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza (HPAI).
Delaware Poultry Owners Urged to Take Precautions Due to HPAI on Delmarva
The Delaware Department of Agriculture is urging all poultry owners, including commercial producers and backyard flock owners, to take precautions to protect their flocks from disease after a commercial broiler flock in Caroline County, Maryland, was preliminarily confirmed to have tested positive for highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). Further confirmation from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Veterinary Services Laboratory is pending.
