DNR says APHIS team expanding on-ground bird flu response; flags park, land and funding actions for Eastern Shore

Secretary Josh Kurtz, Maryland Department of Natural Resources, told the Eastern Shore Delegation that the department has expanded a long‑standing contract with the federal Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) to provide additional staff on the ground to collect sick and dead birds amid an avian influenza outbreak affecting Caroline and Queen Anne’s counties.

Kurtz said APHIS already fields roughly 30,000 calls a year through a statewide 1‑800 number and that “starting today, we will have additional staff on the ground from APHIS helping us to continue to do that collection.” He added that DNR staff who manage aviaries and park lands are also assisting in collection and quarantine work on state properties.

Delegates on the panel pressed the department about earlier communication gaps. Delegate Jay Jacobs said residents in his district were told to call the Department of Agriculture and then called him when nothing happened, and asked for more direct help for callers. "There should have been... better…