Dr. Carrie Rowe, Acting Secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Education | Pennsylvania Department Of Education
Pennsylvania’s efforts to protect its poultry industry from Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) were highlighted during a recent tour of the Pennsylvania Veterinary Laboratory. Agriculture Deputy Secretary for Animal Health and Food Safety Lisa Graybeal led the event, emphasizing the laboratory’s role as one of three state labs serving as a primary defense against the spread of HPAI.
Graybeal was joined by poultry experts and farmers who have experienced losses due to the virus. They underscored the importance of biosecurity measures in preventing infections. “Biosecurity is their best prevention, and in the event their flocks are infected, HPAI Recovery Grants are available to help them recover from their losses and get back to business,” Graybeal said.
The threat posed by HPAI is significant for Pennsylvania, where poultry is among the top three sectors within an agriculture industry valued at $132.5 billion. Lancaster County alone has more than 1,319 poultry farms out of 10,361 statewide. A team led by state officials is currently addressing confirmed infections at six sites in Lancaster County, affecting approximately 57,900 birds.
Since February 2022, when this strain of avian influenza began impacting flocks in Pennsylvania, more than 7.1 million birds have been lost across 41 commercial operations and 59 backyard flocks spanning 23 counties.
Other speakers included Dr. Alex Hamberg, Pennsylvania State Veterinarian; Michael Martz, owner of Martz Game Farm; Rep. Eddie Day Pashinski; Chris Herr, PennAg Executive Vice President; and Dr. John Boney from Penn State Poultry Service.
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