Presumptive positive case of avian influenza announced in Worcester Co.

WORCESTER CO., Md. – The Maryland Department of Agriculture says it has discovered the first presumptive positive case of H5 avian influenza in Worcester County.

We’re told the case involves a commercial broiler farm in the county and is the fifth case on a commercial poultry farm on the Eastern Shore. In total, there are nine commercial operations in the Delmarva area confirmed to have HPAI, including two in Kent County, Delaware, and one in Accomack County, Virginia.

State officials have reportedly quarantined all affected premises and birds on the properties are being or have been depopulated to prevent the spread of the disease. Birds from affected flocks will not enter the food system.