Data Report

Avian Flu Outbreak Affects Over 2.3 Million Birds in Lancaster County

Feb 6, 2026

A significant avian influenza outbreak has hit Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, with state officials reporting that approximately 2.3 million birds have been affected across multiple flocks.

The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture confirmed that the virus has been detected in two commercial operations and seven backyard flocks throughout the county. The majority of the affected birds were connected to a "commercial table egg layer" operation, where more than 1.5 million hens were depopulated last week after confirmation of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI).

LINK:
https://1340wraw.iheart.com/content/2026-02-06-avian-flu-outbreak-affects-over-23-million-birds-in-lancaster-county/

COMMENT:
I used to live between Hummelstown and and Harrisburg many years ago.. Our hearts go out to the Amish ...Lancaster  is known aw Amish country I assume its possible the Amish culture could be affected by this devastated loss.

UPDATE FEB 18, 2026:
LANCASTER COUNTY, Pa. (WHTM) — More than 3 million additional birds have been affected by avian flu in Lancaster County. The number of cases in the county is more than half of the cases reported nationwide.

LINK:
https://www.abc27.com/local-news/another-3-million-lancaster-county-birds-affected-by-avian-flu/

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WILDLIFE ALERT: At least a dozen dead birds were found at the Swimming River Reservoir in Middletown Township, as reports of dead birds surface across several New Jersey counties.

Drone video shows dead and dying Canada geese, some spinning in circles, a behavior seen in past bird flu cases. American Water, which operates the reservoir, says there is no risk to the water supply, while a bald eagle monitor has raised concerns about a nearby nest. State environmental officials said they were aware and monitoring the situation.

LINK:

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COMMENT: I just have to comment this is an astronomical number...
"More than 3 million additional birds have been affected by avian flu in Lancaster County." I don't think people even have a perspective on how many that is.. One time to relax myself I decided to count to 100 and back ..I was a little nervous and thought it be a good idea to focus on counting. I counted to 100 and then backwards then I counted to two! That's a lot right there.. No one an even count to 3 million..okay... now Imagine you are in Pa or New Jersey and there are dead birds and some birds in pain disoriented flopping around and other birds just acting normal amongst theses poor sick creatures and there are so many of them you can't count..

... Now I have to ask the question would you wear a mask? I would and am .. Now imagine working in a hospital in that region or any region and somebody comes in having trouble breathing and maybe has influenza B but you aren't sure.. Would you mask ? I would and am... All I know with that much death of birds in the air I can't imagine people going maskless around birds or one another at this time in history .. that's over 3 million birds man just in PA alone.. that's some weirdness man..That's a lot of death in the air. Just telling you like it is. Try counting 3 million in your head and you'll realize real fast that's impossible to count. I have no doubt people are in denial and ignoring it but personally I think people are crazy to not protect themselves because that's an astronomical amount of dead creatures unlike any number I have heard of since I ve been born. Totally unreal and totally unrealistic to ignore and not take precautions such as masking to prevent the disease from possibly jumping human to human in my opinion.

 Bird flu detected in vulture at Corinth Lake, Kentucky

    By Betsy Smith Paxton

The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources (KDFWR) confirmed recently that "a preliminary non-negative result" for highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) was received for samples taken from a deceased black vulture collected at Corinth Lake. HPAI is often referred to as avian flu or bird flu.

The vulture was one of several found along the shore of the lake and reported by Stephanie Lewis-Hardin on Jan. 7 2026 Although some of the deceased birds had been “eaten on,” no injuries were noted.

LINK:
https://www.pmg-ky3.com/owenton/news/bird-flu-detected-in-vulture-at-corinth-lake/article_238878d8-44a2-525d-93b1-8aa2111dbde7.html

Montana confirms first avian flu case of 2026 in Carbon Co.

by NBC Montana StaffTue, January 27, 2026

HELENA, Mont. — The Montana Department of Livestock (MDOL) has confirmed the first case of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in the state for 2026.

The affected flock, located in Carbon County, consists of chickens and ducks. This marks the first detection of HPAI in Montana since October 2025.

Migratory waterfowl are identified as the primary source of the influenza virus responsible for HPAI.

LINK:
https://nbcmontana.com/news/local/montana-confirms-first-avian-flu-case-of-2026-in-carbon-co

Red foxes on San Juan Island(Washington) test positive for avian influenza
February 20th, 2026

LINK:
https://theorcasonian.com/red-foxes-on-san-juan-island-test-positive-for-avian-influenza/

ANNAPOLIS, MD
Preliminary Testing Confirms Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in Caroline County
February 25, 2026

 The Maryland Department of Agriculture has announced a presumptive positive case of H5 Avian Influenza on a commercial broiler farm in Caroline County. This is the second case of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) on a commercial poultry farm in Caroline County this year and the third case in Maryland in 2026. State officials 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.

LINK:
https://news.maryland.gov/mda/press-release/2026/02/25/preliminary-testing-confirms-highly-pathogenic-avian-influenza-in-caroline-county-3/

 Rhode Island’s wildlife rehabilitation clinics are reporting record numbers of sick and injured birds.

Snowy conditions cause uptick in sick, emaciated birds
The Wildlife Clinic of R.I. and Congress of the Birds reported an increase in avian patients from last winter.

"Several birds have already tested positive for the virus this season, Hymel said."

LINK:
https://www.browndailyherald.com/article/2026/02/snowy-conditions-cause-uptick-in-sick-emaciated-birds