MOOREFIELD — The West Virginia Department of Agriculture has confirmed the presence of bird flu, or Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), in a backyard flock of chickens in Pocahontas County. 

According to a press release from the WVDA, the diagnosis was made following a field investigation, sample collection and testing at WVDA’s Animal Health NAHLN lab in Moorefield. This marks only the second case of HPAI in domestic birds in West Virginia since the start of the global outbreak in early 2022.

The affected area is currently under quarantine and the birds have been “depopulated” to prevent disease spread, the release states. These efforts, according to the WVDA, also help to ensure the safety and integrity of the commercial food supply.

“The WVDA acted swiftly to contain the disease and remains committed to collaborating with poultry owners to prevent its spread,” West Virginia Commissioner of Agriculture Kent Leonhardt said in the release. “As the state’s leading agricultural commodity, protecting the poultry industry is critical, and implementing emergency response plans is essential to safeguarding its future.”

As part of its emergency action plan, the WVDA says it has notified industry partners, state health officials and the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services of its findings. The WVDA is “committed to timely communication to promote heightened awareness and help mitigate the risk of virus spread,” according to the release. Additionally, the WVDA says it will continue to follow established protocols when responding to reports of sick birds, “ensuring the protection of the industry.”

Avian influenza is an airborne respiratory virus that spreads easily among chickens through nasal and eye secretions, as well as manure. The virus also infects a wide variety of other birds, including wild migratory waterfowl. HPAI has been detected in various species of mammals, presumably after the animals come into contact with infected wild birds, the release states.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the public health risk associated with avian influenza remains low. The WVDA says people should remember to properly handle and cook all poultry and eggs.

To prevent the spread of the disease, WVDA urges poultry owners to:

Limit, monitor and record any movement of people, vehicles or animals on or off the farm.

Permit only essential workers and vehicles to enter the farm.

Avoid visiting other poultry farms or unnecessary travel off the farm.

Disinfect equipment, vehicles, footwear and other items in contact with flocks.

Keep flocks away from wild or migratory birds, especially waterfowl.

Isolate any ill animals and contact your veterinarian immediately.

Poultry owners should report unusual death loss, a drop in egg production or any sick domestic birds to WVDA’s Animal Health Division at 304-558-2214.

For more information on current detections in domestic poultry, livestock and wildlife across the U.S., visit the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s webpage.

For additional precautions against the virus, visit the CDC’s Avian Influenza Guidance at cdc.gov/bird-flu.