CHARLESTON, W.Va. –As the ongoing threat of the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza or the bird flu rises, the West Virginia Department of Agriculture has suspended all poultry exhibitions and sales events.
Kent Leonhardt
West Virginia has been watching the ongoing threat since 2022 and has been working with poultry industry stakeholders and interagency partners to prepare for, if and when there was an outbreak in the state.
As of right now, the suspension, which effects exhibitions, shows, swaps, meets, and the sale of poultry at flea markets or auction markets, is in effect until early April. When April comes around, they will review the situation based off of the weather, temperature, and the movement of birds.
WV Agriculture Commissioner Kent Leonhardt says that they know that the outbreak is linked mostly to waterfowl and March is the biggest migration North for those birds.
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There have been confirmed cases in commercial poultry operations in surrounding states and in a backyard flock in Pocahontas County, and Leonhardt said this is what led to the suspension.
“Well, it’s a continuation of the growths and it’s also that it’s earlier this year than we normally see, and we’re also seeing it in our surrounding states,” he said.
While they’ve been keeping an eye on the outbreak for three years, he says they will continue those efforts to monitor the situation
“We’re just going to keep evaluating things as we go along, and our primary goal is to protect the poultry industry, whether it be private, commercial, or backyard flocks,” Leonhardt said.
While the virus has been detected locally, federal and state wildlife agencies have confirmed that they have detected some cases in wild bird populations because of their continuous surveillance efforts.
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For poultry, Leonhardt says that when the virus does infect a bird, it will most likely kill the animal. And when they finally detect that it was in fact, the bird flu, they have to make sure that the virus doesn’t spread to the rest of the flock.
“And so, what we do is depopulate the flock to prevent it from spreading outside that flock to other birds,” Leonhardt said.
While the virus mainly is transmitted from birds to birds it can transmit to people through the bird’s saliva, nasal secretions or their feces.
The Department of Agriculture has put out a list on how to prevent the spread of disease:
– Limit, monitor, and record any movement of people, vehicles, or animals on or off the farm.
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-Permit only essential workers and vehicles to enter the farm.
-Avoid visiting other poultry farms or unnecessary travel off the farm.
-Disinfect equipment, vehicles, footwear, and other items in contact with flocks.
-Change clothes before entering poultry areas and before exiting the property.
-Keep flocks away from wild or migratory birds, especially waterfowl.
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-Isolate any ill animals and contact your veterinarian immediately.
The department encourages poultry owners to report unusual deaths in their flock, a drop in egg production, or any sick domestic birds to WVDA’s Animal Health Division at 304-558-2214.
For more information regarding the virus, you can go to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s website here.
The West Virginia Mountaineers (10-3) welcome the Maryland Terrapins (10-5) to Kendrick Family Ballpark Tuesday afternoon the first encounter between the two programs since 2023 and the first meeting in Morgantown since 2018. The first pitch is set for 2:00 p.m. EST and the action will stream on ESPN+.
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The Mountaineers captured their fourth consecutive series of the season after taking two of the three games from Columbia over the weekend. West Virginia sophomore Matt Ineich and senior Brodie Kresser both blasted grand slams during the series. Ineich lifted WVU in game two with a walk-off grand slam in the 10th in game two, and Kresser ignited a 16-1 rout, capping a six-run second inning in the series finale.
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Gavin Kelly leads West Virginia at the plate with a .436 batting average with a Big 12 leading nine doubles. Ineich and senior Paul Schoenfeld has raked in a team-leading 16 RBI apiece, while senior Matthew Graveline has clubbed a team-high three home runs.
On the mound, West Virginia is expected to start sophomore David Hagen. The right-hander has made four appearances on the season, including one start. He last started in the home-opener against Ohio where he pitched two scoreless innings and recorded a strikeout to collect his first win of the season. He holds a 1.00 ERA with five strikeouts on the season.
After starting 3-4, Maryland is 7-1 in its last eight games. The Terrapins won two of three at UNC Wilmington in the season opening series, followed by a midweek win against Georgetown before getting swept at Louisiana. The Terps bounced back with a pair of midweek wins versus Delaware and swept a one-win Wagner team.
Junior Brayden Martin is batting a team-best .443 to go with four doubles and 12 RBI. Redshirt freshman Ryan Costello leads the Terps in home runs (9) and RBI (21) and is third in batting average at .328, while freshman Ty Kaunus has a team-high seven doubles and has .269 batting average.
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Maryland is scheduled to start freshman Nic Morlang. The right-hander has four appearances on the season, including four starts. He allowed five earned runs in his appearances, coinciding with his two starts, in six innings of work. In his last two appearances in relief, He’s allowed one earned run on five hits.
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West Virginia leads the all-time series 8-5, including a five-game winning streak over Maryland.
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Multiple law enforcement agencies responded to a series of parties in Morgantown over the weekend.
Morgantown police officers, West Virginia University Police and state police responded to reports of overcrowded parties, underage drinking, physical altercations and multiple injuries.
Morgantown Communications Director Brad Riffie said several citations were issued for open containers and underage consumption.
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Two large parties were dispersed and six arrests were made without incident.
None of the reported injuries are believed to be serious or life-threatening.
The Morgantown Fire Department assisted in the operations.
Hancock County, WV — A Weir High School senior has been recognized as the 2026 West Virginia Student Journalist of the Year.
Hailey Hans was selected for the statewide honor after building a journalism portfolio since her freshman year. She also serves as the staff manager of Weir Student Media, where she oversees articles and is in charge of deadlines.
“When I was a freshman I was placed in the journalism one class, and I actually tried to get pulled from the class. But, then after I sat in the class and I learned a little bit, that’s where my love grew and then from there I continued to take classes, I helped pass a law, and I got to these national conventions. Where it just lit a fire inside me,” Hans said.
Hans is planning to attend West Liberty University in the fall to study education with a minor in journalism, with the goal of becoming a journalism teacher. She will now submit her portfolio for the national-level contest.
