TODAY, GOVERNOR JOSH SHAPIRO, ALONG WITH LAWMAKERS, ARE PLANNING TO DISCUSS HOW THE STATE PLANS TO HELP FARMERS WHO ARE AFFECTED BY THE AVIAN FLU. WE’LL KEEP YOU UPDATED ON WHAT COMES OUT OF THAT MEETING.

Strains of highly pathogenic avian influenza virus have been present in Pennsylvania’s wild birds since early 2022.

University of Missouri scientist Wenjun Ma has been tasked with developing a bird flu vaccine using a $1.9M USDA grant running through 2029.

A researcher from the University of Missouri School of Medicine and the College of Veterinary Medicine is working to develop a vaccine to protect humans and animals from the bird flu, according to a news release from MU.

In 2026, a highly contagious strain of bird flu has killed more than 7.1 million Pennsylvanian birds, mostly in Lancaster County.

Dr. Wenjun Ma will use the money to work alongside Dr. Wesley Warren and Dr. John Driver to better understand how a chicken's pulmonary network rewires itself after an HPAI infection.

(WHTM) — Approaching bird migrations could further spread avian flu in the coming months. As Pennsylvania thaws, several species of birds will stop in the state as they head to their nesting locations,

In the past 30 days, 51 US flocks have been confirmed to have avian flu, including 23 commercial flocks and 28 backyard flocks. A total of 8.97 million birds nationwide have been affected. Scroll down to read more about the virus.