A new case of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI)—commonly known as bird flu—has been detected in a Philadelphia meat market, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) confirmed on March 12, 2025.
Key Details
- The virus was found in a live bird market within the city.
- As of Sunday, March 16, both the CDC and USDA report zero flock size affected, suggesting swift containment.
- This follows a suspected case in January, when Philadelphia health officials detected bird flu in an ill snow goose.
Nationwide Impact
According to the USDA, HPAI has now been detected in over 1,600 birds across all 50 states.
Authorities continue monitoring for further cases, urging caution among poultry farmers and consumers.
In January 2025, health officials in Philadelphia announced that a snow goose found ill in the city tested positive for bird flu. The discovery came as the United States faces a bird flu outbreak that has sickened more than 60 people nationwide.
The ill goose, located near the 1200 block of North 59th Street on January 11, tested positive for avian influenza A, specifically the highly pathogenic H5N1 strain. Philadelphia Health Commissioner Dr. Palak Ravel-Nelson reassured the public that the risk to the city remains low but emphasized the importance of vigilance.
“The threat to Philadelphia from H5N1 remains low, but we are issuing this alert out of an abundance of caution,” Dr. Ravel-Nelson said. She added that health officials continue to monitor the situation in Philadelphia and across the country.
The outbreak has affected wildlife and farms nationwide. Over 60 people have fallen ill from H5N1 in recent months, with one reported death. The illness has also impacted over 1,000 dairy herds and led to snow goose deaths in Pennsylvania’s Lehigh Valley and Delaware farms.
Residents and visitors are urged to avoid contact with wild birds and report any unusual behavior in wildlife to the city’s game commission.
