By Taylor McKinnie, The Inter-Mountain
MOOREFIELD, W.Va. — 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.”