40,000 chickens put down on Powellville farm due to bird flu fears

A poultry farm in Wicomico County had an inconclusive test for avian influenza, leading to 40,000 chickens being put down at a farm in Powellville.

The farm was experiencing "higher than normal mortality" and was submitted to the Maryland Department of Agriculture laboratory for a disease screening, according to a release from Delmarva Poultry Industry, Inc. Disease screenings include testing for bird flu.

Bird flu is a viral disease that affects multiple species throughout the world, according the Maryland Department of Agriculture. The risk of infecting humans is very low and is often limited only to the people in direct contact with the birds, although occasionally other people have been affected.

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The Powellville chickens were diagnosed with and treated for an unnamed "common bacterial disease," according to the DPI release, and mortality returned to normal expected rates.

However, "out of an abundance of caution," DPI said the decision was made to put the birds down. Bob Culver, Wicomico county executive, said 40,000 birds were put down from two houses.

“They did everything they could do to handle it in a positive manner,” Culver said in an interview.

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Over the next two weeks, there will be increased testing and surveillance to make sure no other cases of illness appear in other local poultry flocks.

"All poultry flock owners are encouraged to follow strict biosecurity on their farms to prevent the spread of disease," DPI said in a release. 

There are no health concerns for human beings, and poultry and eggs are still safe for human consumption.

Reach reporter Hayley Harding via email at hharding@delmarvanow.com or on Twitter @Hayley__Harding.

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