Avian influenza has historically spared Pennsylvania, but farms remain wary as outbreaks spread

Pennsylvania’s commercial poultry has remained untouched by highly pathogenic avian influenza for nearly 40 years, but poultry producers in the area remain on high alert because of the devastating effects it can have on flocks once it begins to spread.

“A lot of chickens and turkeys have been depopulated this spring, so it is a big concern,” said Tim Pounds, co-owner of Pounds’ Turkey Farm in Allegheny Township. “Fortunately for Western Pennsylvania, it appears we’re not in a fly zone, which seems to be the biggest problem.”

Though only one case of avian influenza has been recorded in Pennsylvania by the U.S. Department of Agriculture — a bald eagle in Chester County — a state legislator in Venango County issued a release in late March indicating that five ducks found dead along Kahle Lake tested positive.

Across the United States, nearly 23 million birds have died, according to NPR, making it the worst U.S. outbreak of the avian flu in seven years. More than 50 million birds died in a 2015 outbreak.

The outlet noted that while some birds have died from the virus, itself, a majority have been culled in an attempt to staunch the spread.

In Iowa, one of the states hardest hit so far, more than 13 million birds have been culled, including 5 million in one day at just one egg-laying facility.

Pounds said his farm began taking more biosecurity measures during an outbreak years ago. Any feed trucks that arrive are disinfected before they go near the farm’s grain mill. For people who are going near the turkey coop, they’re asked to use a disinfectant on their shoes first.

“We do have geese and whatnot — if you go for a walk in the park, you could be carrying something on your shoes that could be a problem,” he said.

Adam Mason, owner and operator at Heal Farms in Allegheny Township, said he is less concerned about the virus because of the way in which his farm keeps its fowl.

“The birds are outside in a clean pasture, and they’re rotated through our pastures … roughly every seven to eight days,” Mason said. “Typically these (avian flu) outbreaks impact confinement operations.”

He said he tries to breed resiliency into not just the farm’s chickens, but the beef and pork products as well, and the hatchery from which their eggs come from tests often for outbreaks.

“We don’t have a lot of contact with anyone coming from a confinement operation,” he said. “(In those situations) you’re asking for conditions that are ripe for disease.”

Henry Niman, a Pittsburgh biochemist who tracks the evolution of viruses and has been tracking the avian flu’s spread, said Pennsylvania’s low level of avian flu so far could be due to migration patterns.

The United States is broken into four paths, or flyways, when it comes to waterfowl migration: From west to east, they are the Pacific flyway, Central flyway, Mississippi flyway and the Atlantic flyway. Many of the larger outbreaks have been in the Mississippi flyway, Niman’s tracking shows, but outbreaks are growing along the East Coast, too.

“Now it’s starting to take off in North Carolina, and I think that that’s coinciding with some of the birds starting to go north,” he said. “I think it’s still a little bit early, (and) as the birds start migrating in larger numbers — I don’t know about the Pacific flyway, but the other three flyways are all pretty much going to be at risk.”

Zoos on alert

The outbreak has also put zoos on high alert. Birds that are kept in outdoor enclosures are at risk of contracting the virus from wild birds, as it is shed through droppings and nasal discharge, according to The Associated Press.

At the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium, caretakers are moving some birds on exhibit indoors as a precaution, said spokesman Ian Hunter. He said all the animals and birds are healthy right now.

Flamingos have been moved to their indoor habitat where visitors can still see them, and the penguins will remain in their normal habitat. Ostriches, chickens and owls, though, have been moved to barns and won’t be seen by visitors.

Hunter noted that the zoo has been tracking the virus in the Eastern U.S. since February and was already prepared to “increase biosecurity measures” as the virus was detected closer and closer to Southwestern Pennsylvania.

“The safety of our animals and staff remains our highest priority,” said zoo President Dr. Jeremy Goodman. “Many of the additional precautions for animal care staff have been, and in some cases, continue to be used due to the covid-19 pandemic.”

Similar precautions are in place at the National Aviary on Pittsburgh’s North Side, with officials noting that the outdoor exhibits are designed to prevent any exposure to wild birds and other wildlife that could be carrying the virus. Most birds already live in indoor habitats, officials said.