The first case of highly pathogenic bird flu has been recorded in Pennsylvania

The first case of highly pathogenic bird flu was detected in Pennsylvania, the state Department of Agriculture said Saturday.

The case was found in a flock of chickens at a poultry farm in Lancaster County, a press release said. The department has quarantined a farm in East Donegal and all commercial poultry farms within a 6-mile radius.

The samples were first tested at the Pennsylvania Veterinary Laboratory, and positive results were confirmed by the National Veterinary Laboratory in Ames, Iowa, according to a press release.

A strain of bird flu, or HPAI, is highly contagious and can be deadly to poultry. Poultry and eggs are safe to eat when cooked properly.

So far, no cases of bird flu have been detected in the United States, and there is no immediate threat to public health, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

HPV cases have been confirmed in 32 other states, including Delaware, New Jersey and New York. Symptoms in birds include sneezing, coughing, walking or swimming in a circle, swelling of the legs and feet.

An outbreak of the Lehigh Valley Zoo in early March forced the transfer of birds, waterfowl and penguins from the exhibition. Zoo officials said that if cases were reported closer to the Likha Valley, they were ready to move the rest of the birds from the show.

Sick or dead wild birds should be reported to the State Game Commission by calling 610-926-3136 or pgc-wildlifehealth@pa.gov. If you believe your bird is infected, call the State Bureau of Health and Diagnostic Services at 717-772-2852, Option 1. For more information about bird flu, visit the Department of Agriculture’s agriculture.pa.gov website.