ANNAPOLIS, MD – Maryland agriculture officials announced Friday that initial test results have identified a suspected outbreak of deadly bird flu at a commercial chicken operation in Wicomico County.
The Maryland Department of Agriculture reported February 14, 2026, that laboratory screenings detected H5 Avian Influenza at the broiler facility, representing the initial confirmed occurrence of highly pathogenic H5 Avian Influenza affecting a commercial poultry operation in the region.
The discovery raises concerns for Delaware’s poultry industry, as Wicomico County borders the First State and the highly contagious virus can spread rapidly between farms.
State veterinarians are conducting additional confirmatory testing to verify the preliminary findings, while implementing immediate containment protocols to prevent the disease from spreading to neighboring facilities.
The highly pathogenic strain of avian influenza poses significant economic threats to poultry producers throughout the Delmarva Peninsula, where chicken farming represents a major agricultural sector.
