ANNAPOLIS, Md. — State laboratory testing confirmed a case of highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza (HPAI) in an Anne Arundel County backyard flock on March 12, 2025. The Maryland Department of Agriculture has quarantined all affected premises, with birds being depopulated to halt disease spread. These birds will not enter the food system. Confirmation from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Veterinary Services Laboratory is pending, with results expected soon.
This contagious airborne virus, spread via nasal and eye secretions, manure, wild birds, contaminated equipment, and caretakers’ clothing or shoes, affects chickens, ducks, turkeys, and wild species like geese and raptors.
The Maryland Department of Health assesses the public risk as low, though those working with poultry or dairy farms face a higher risk and should adopt strict biosecurity measures. Backyard flock owners are urged to register with the Maryland Department of Agriculture to safeguard the state’s poultry industry, aiding officials in identifying at-risk animals and premises.
Registration can be completed via the Maryland Poultry Premises Registration Form, emailed to animalhealth.mda@maryland.gov, or mailed to 50 Harry S. Truman Parkway, Annapolis, MD 21401.
The Department of Natural Resources advises waterfowl hunters to wash hands and clothes after handling game and use dedicated gear to avoid cross-contamination with domestic birds. Dead wild birds should be reported to USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service at 1-877-463-6497 for collection and disposal. For sick backyard flock birds, contact the Maryland Department of Agriculture at 410-841-5810 or email MD.Birdflu@maryland.gov.
Key biosecurity practices include cleaning and disinfecting transportation, removing loose feed to deter wild birds and rodents, limiting visitors, washing hands thoroughly, using disposable boot covers or footbaths, changing clothes before and after poultry contact, and disinfecting tools and equipment. A full list of EPA-certified disinfectants effective against HPAI is available online. More details are at https://mda.maryland.gov/Pages/AvianFlu.aspx.
While the response aligns with established protocols—quarantine, depopulation, and biosecurity—the reliance on voluntary registration and the low public risk assessment may underplay the virus’s potential to evolve, especially given its spread to mammals like dairy cattle elsewhere. The pending USDA confirmation adds uncertainty, warranting cautious optimism about containment.
