January 16, 2025

Virginia Announces Positive Avian Influenza Commercial Flock Detection in Accomack County

Richmond, Va. - The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) announces that testing of a commercial broiler flock in Accomack County has returned presumptive positive results for H5N1 Avian Influenza. The samples were tested at the Maryland Department of Agriculture Laboratory in Salisbury, Maryland, part of the National Animal Health Laboratory Network. Additional samples have been sent to the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service’s (APHIS) National Veterinary Services Laboratories for further confirmation.

In addition to working closely with USDA APHIS, VDACS is collaborating with the Maryland Department of Agriculture and the Delaware Department of Agriculture in a unified command structure to respond to all avian influenza incidents on the Delmarva peninsula. VDACS has quarantined the affected premises and is performing additional surveillance and testing within a 10-kilometer radius around the affected flock. The commercial flock on the affected property is being depopulated on Jan. 16 to prevent spread of the disease. Birds from the flock will not enter the food system.

Considering this new case and the prevalence of the virus in the wild bird population, all poultry owners are encouraged to increase their vigilance in protecting their flocks from contracting avian influenza by following these steps:

• Limit, monitor, and record any movement of people, vehicles, or animals on or off your farm.
• Permit only essential workers and vehicles to enter the farm to limit the chances of bringing the virus from an outside source.
• Avoid visiting other poultry farms and any unnecessary travel off the farm.
• Disinfect equipment, vehicles, footwear, and other items that come into contact with flocks.
• Keep your flock away from wild or migratory birds, especially waterfowl.
• Isolate any ill animals and contact your veterinarian.
• For more information on improving biosecurity, visit Defend the Flock.

If you have sick poultry or experience increased mortality in your flock:

• Commercial poultry producers should follow the procedures of contacting the company they grow for when they notice signs of disease.
• Virginia bird owners should report sick birds or unusual bird deaths to the State Veterinarian’s Office at (804) 692-0601 or at vastatevet@vdacs.virginia.gov.

Since wild birds may be infected with avian influenza without appearing sick, people should minimize direct contact with wild birds by using gloves. If contact occurs, wash your hands with soap and water, and change clothing before having any contact with healthy domestic poultry and birds. Hunters should dress game birds in the field whenever possible and practice good biosecurity to prevent any potential disease spread. Hunters can find additional biosecurity information at https://dwr.virginia.gov/wildlife/diseases/avian-influenza/.