Sussex County Backyard Flock Tests Presumptive Positive for H5 Avian Influenza
The Delaware Department of Agriculture (DDA) announced today that testing of a backyard flock in Sussex County, Del., has returned presumptive positive for H5 avian influenza from the University of Delaware’s Lasher Laboratory in Georgetown, part of the National Animal Health Laboratory Network. This is the first case of H5 avian influenza in poultry in Sussex County.
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.
Delaware Announces First Presumptive Positive H5 Avian Influenza Case Detected on Kent County Farm in 2025
The Delaware Department of Agriculture announced this morning that preliminary testing of a commercial broiler flock in Kent County, Del., has returned presumptive positive H5 from the University of Delaware’s Lasher Laboratory in Georgetown, part of the National Animal Health Laboratory Network. Additional samples have been sent to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Veterinary Services Laboratory (NVSL) for further confirmation.
Delaware Department of Agriculture Issues Warning on Recent Sales of Backyard Poultry and Equipment
The Delaware Department of Agriculture (DDA) is warning backyard flock owners who may have recently purchased poultry, fowl, and poultry equipment from an individual in Hartly, Delaware, selling through online marketplaces and local venues within the past 45 days.
