HPAI confirmed in 870,000 American chicken
Indiana records 20 commercial flock infections so far this year
USA – Fresh outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza have been confirmed in commercial poultry operations in Pennsylvania and Indiana, adding to the growing number of cases recorded across the United States in 2026.
According to the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, the Pennsylvania case was verified on March 17 and involves a large-scale laying hen operation in Lancaster County.
The affected Pennsylvania site housed approximately 870,000 egg-laying hens, marking one of the largest single detections reported in the state this year.
This latest development brings the total number of commercial poultry flocks impacted by HPAI in Pennsylvania to 17 in 2026, with nearly all infections concentrated in Lancaster County.
The only exception to this cluster occurred in Dauphin County, where a separate outbreak earlier in the year affected around 70,000 laying hens.
Indiana reports continued spread in duck flocks
Meanwhile, in Indiana, animal health authorities confirmed another case on March 16 involving a flock of 7,600 commercial meat ducks in Elkhart County.
This incident marks the eighth confirmed outbreak in Elkhart County this year, with all recorded cases in the area involving duck operations rather than chickens or other poultry.
Across the entire state, Indiana has now documented 20 commercial poultry flock infections linked to HPAI in 2026, reflecting continued circulation of the virus within key production regions.
The repeated detections in duck flocks in Elkhart County indicate a localised pattern of infection that differs from Pennsylvania’s concentration in large egg-laying operations.
Broader regional monitoring continues
As these cases accumulate, authorities continue to track and report outbreaks across North America through surveillance systems and industry platforms.
Industry stakeholders and producers are relying on updated tracking tools, including interactive mapping resources, to monitor the spread of the disease across the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
The latest figures highlight ongoing challenges in controlling HPAI within commercial poultry systems, particularly in regions with dense production and repeated exposure risks.
Officials have not indicated any immediate changes to containment protocols, but continued reporting suggests that vigilance remains central to limiting further spread in the months ahead.
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