Richmond, VA (CVILLE RIGHT NOW) – State officials have announced a positive case of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in a commercial broiler flock in Accomack County. The affected farm was quarantined and the flock depopulated on Thursday, January 16 to prevent further spread of the virus.

The testing was conducted in Maryland, which borders Accomack County. Samples were then sent to USDA APHIS’s National Veterinary Services Laboratories for confirmation. Once confirmed, the farm was immediately quarantined followed by depopulation in an effort to stop spread of the virus.

Exposure to avian influenza viruses can lead to infection and disease in humans, ranging from mild symptoms to severe respiratory disease and death.

Agriculture is Virginia’s largest private industry, and broilers, or chickens bred for meat production, are Virginia’s top grossing agricultural product, with the Shenandoah Valley one of the top poultry producing and processing regions in the U.S. with about 250 turkey farms and 550 chicken farms.

More information is found in the following news release.

 

January 16, 2025, News Release

?Avian Influenza Detected in Accomack County, Virginia

State officials have announced a presumptive positive case of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in a commercial broiler flock located in Accomack County, Virginia. Testing was conducted at the Maryland Department of Agriculture Laboratory, with additional samples sent to USDA APHIS’s National Veterinary Services Laboratories for confirmation. The affected farm has been quarantined, and the flock is scheduled for depopulation on January 16 to prevent further spread of the virus.

This marks the latest case on the Delmarva peninsula, following other confirmed detections in the region. VDACS, in collaboration with USDA APHIS, the Maryland Department of Agriculture, and the Delaware Department of Agriculture, is taking coordinated action to mitigate the impact of this outbreak.

? What You Need to Know:

Increased surveillance and testing are being conducted within a 10-kilometer radius of the affected farm.

Poultry movement in the area is restricted to protect nearby flocks.

Birds from the affected flock will not enter the food system.

 

?️ Protect Your Flock:

All poultry owners—whether commercial producers or backyard flock keepers—must take urgent steps to enhance biosecurity:

Limit, monitor, and record the movement of people, vehicles, or animals onto your farm.

Allow only essential personnel on-site.

Disinfect equipment, vehicles, and footwear before and after contact with birds.

Keep domestic poultry separate from wild or migratory birds, especially waterfowl.

Watch for signs of illness, including increased mortality, swelling, nasal discharge, or lethargy, and isolate sick birds immediately.

? Reporting and Resources:

Commercial poultry producers: Contact the company you grow for if you notice signs of disease.

Virginia bird owners: Report sick birds or unusual mortality to the State Veterinarian’s Office at (804) 692-0601 or email vastatevet@vdacs.virginia.gov.

Hunters and individuals handling wild birds should take precautions, including wearing gloves, disinfecting equipment, and avoiding direct contact with live or deceased wild birds. For more
biosecurity tips, visit https://ow.ly/M1c050UI51b.

Together, we can protect Virginia’s poultry industry and the health of our local flocks. Stay informed and stay vigilant.