The U.S. Department of Agriculture has confirmed Butler County’s first case of bird flu. The virus was detected in a backyard flock of 610 birds.
The USDA confirmed the infection on Feb. 20.
It classified the farm, which was not identified by the USDA, as a kind that does not sell the birds or their eggs commercially. Instead the farm owners use the birds — including their eggs and feathers — for only their own use. Such farms have no direct or indirect contact with other poultry or poultry facilities.
The USDA did not specify whether the birds in question were chickens or some other type.
The outbreak that started in 2022 affected Western Pennsylvania in 2023, but hasn’t been reported until now.
Currently, the USDA reports nearly 2.35 million birds infected in the last 30 days in the state between seven commercial flocks and nine backyard flocks.
Sick or dead wild birds should be reported to the Pennsylvania Game Commission at 833-742-9453.
People who suspect their poultry is infected with bird flu should call the Pennsylvania Bureau of Animal Health and Diagnostic Services at 717-772-2852, option 1.
