Highly pathogenic avian influenza was confirmed on December 29 in commercial poultry operations in Arkansas and Maryland, as well as in a commercial upland gamebird flock in Kansas, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
In Maryland, the virus was detected in a commercial broiler operation in Queen Anne’s County involving approximately 96,200 birds. The case had previously been identified as a presumptive positive by the Maryland Department of Agriculture before federal confirmation. This marks the sixth commercial poultry flock affected by HPAI in Maryland in 2025, with all cases involving broiler operations. It is also the first confirmed detection in the state since February.
Arkansas also reported a new case in Drew County, where HPAI was confirmed in a flock of about 19,400 broiler breeders. This is the fourth commercial poultry detection in the state so far this year. The three earlier cases were all reported in Cleveland County, including one confirmed less than a week prior.
In Kansas, APHIS confirmed HPAI in a commercial upland gamebird flock in Jewell County. The affected flock consisted of approximately 13,100 birds being raised for release. The detection came shortly after the Kansas Department of Agriculture issued a warning to producers about increasing HPAI activity nationwide and reinforced the importance of strict biosecurity practices. Kansas had not reported HPAI in commercial flocks since December 2024.
The latest cases underscore the continued presence of HPAI in U.S. poultry production and the ongoing need for vigilance, rapid reporting, and strong biosecurity measures as detections continue into late 2025.
