Second Case of Presumptive Positive Bird Flu found in Caroline Co.

CAROLINE COUNTY, Md. – The Maryland Department of Agriculture has announced a presumptive positive case of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), better known as “bird flu,” on a commercial broiler farm in Caroline County.

This is the second case found on a commercial poultry farm in the county this year, and the third case in Maryland overall. A case was detected in Wicomico County earlier this month.

State officials say they have quarantined all affected premises, and birds on the property are being or have been depopulated to prevent the spread of the disease. Birds from the infected flock will not enter the food system. Confirmation of the case is pending, and is expected in the coming days.

According to the Maryland Department of Health, the risk of transmission between birds and the general public is low. Those who work directly with poultry or dairy farms may be more at risk and should follow key biosecurity practices.