LANCASTER, PENNSYLVANIA (RFD NEWS) — The current outbreak of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) has been ongoing for four years, beginning in January 2022. Now, we are hearing about a rash of commercial outbreaks in Pennsylvania. The uptick has prompted renewed concern across the poultry industry and sparked additional response efforts from state leaders.
While meeting with farmers and ag officials last week, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro said the state’s agriculture industry is now in “crisis mode.”
Shapiro says that since the start of this year, more than 7 million birds have been culled in the state due to the virus, which he noted accounts for more than half of the country’s active bird flu cases. In Feb. 2026 alone, there have been 15 commercial flock outbreaks in the state.
The governor’s office adds that since the start of 2022, Pennsylvania has lost more than 14 million birds. Now, the state is hiring more personnel to improve its biosecurity response.
Pennsylvania Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding joined us on Tuesday’s Market Day Report to provide an update on the current situation.
In his interview with RFD NEWS, Redding said the recent spike has significantly impacted poultry operations, requiring swift coordination between state agencies, producers, and animal health officials to contain the spread and protect unaffected flocks.
Pennsylvania remains the only state in the nation with a dedicated HPAI recovery fund. Redding explained that the fund provides financial support to help poultry producers stabilize operations, offset losses, and recover more quickly following depopulation events tied to the disease.
Redding also recounted a recent roundtable discussion where industry leaders and state lawmakers gathered to review response measures and evaluate next steps. He said the conversation focused on strengthening biosecurity protocols, improving communication, and ensuring adequate resources are available for affected producers.
He emphasized that strong on-farm biosecurity remains the first line of defense, encouraging producers to limit farm access, monitor flocks closely, and follow guidance from animal health officials.
HPAI cases have risen in other states in recent months, too, with commercial outbreaks spanning from California to the Upper Midwest down in the Southeast.
