What the agency's own pages and tables showed when we checked, with the line each comes from.
APHIS's data (file downloaded October 14, 2026, last row October 9, 2026) lists 24 Maryland detections; each shows a control-area release date or 'NA'. The latest, Cecil 05 (commercial pullets, confirmed March 13, 2026), shows control area released April 4, 2026
Mar 13, 2026·Cecil County·Commercial Table Egg Pullets·354,100 birds·control area released Apr 4, 2026
MDA's avian flu page lists no Secretary's order newer than March 2025 (both 2025 market and exhibition orders expired May 16, 2025)
“Amended Order of the Secretary Governing Poultry Auction Markets, Live Bird Markets, Other Markets (Non-Slaughter), and Exhibitions Where Poultry is Brought for Exhibition or Sale (3/28/2025)”
Five commercial-farm cases in 2026 (Caroline x3, Wicomico, Cecil); MDA quarantined the affected premises; the newest MDA avian-influenza release is the Cecil County case posted March 12, 2026
“This is the first case of Highly Pathogenic H5 Avian Influenza (HPAI) in Cecil County this year, and the fifth case on a commercial poultry farm in Maryland in 2026.”
Maryland Department of Agriculture · news.maryland.gov · first result (posted March 12th, 2026)
In force today
Worked out from each notice's dates for October 15, 2026. Bird-flu orders come first, then the standing rules.
Standing ruleShows and fairs
2026 Maryland fair and show rules: show poultry need a recent negative avian influenza test, leg or wing bands and a signed self-certification
Maryland birds also need a registered premises number
In effect from February 1, 2026 · No end date in the source
Statewide · state, county and district fairs, exhibitions, expositions, shows and swap meets in 2026 · Birds: poultry (any domestic bird incl. chickens, turkeys, ratites, waterfowl, game birds; hatching eggs); AI testing covers wild birds too, except pigeons and doves
Maryland birds: negative AI test on a representative 10 birds per premises (all birds if fewer than 10) within 21 days before the event start date, regardless of NPIP status
Out-of-state birds: negative AI test on all birds in the flock (30 if more than 30) within 14 days before the event opens
Meat birds must be AI tested
Owners must produce a copy of the AI test results (digital or printed)
Every bird identified with a numbered leg or wing band
Poultry Exhibitor's Self Certification of Animal Health and Biosecurity Statement, filled out within 24 hours before loading
Documentation on MDA-E06 and MDA-E20, VS Form 9-2, VS Form 9-3 or a form approved by the State Veterinarian
Maryland exhibitors: proof of a registered Maryland Poultry Premises ID (or Federal Premises ID) on the test paperwork
Pullorum-typhoid (birds 4 months or older, except waterfowl, wild birds, pigeons and doves): from an NPIP U.S. PT Clean flock, or a negative test within 90 days and kept segregated
Meat bird projects with a leg/wing band need no PT test but must be kept separate from untested birds
CVI: recommended, not required, for Maryland poultry; out-of-state poultry are exempt from the interstate CVI rule for shows
Private sales allowed if the sponsor documents them and keeps the record one year
Poultry barns: no touching birds except one's own; hand sanitising on entry and exit; one-way public path where possible
Sponsors notify MDA at least 30 days before an event and report suspected disease within 24 hours
Missing paperwork or suspected disease is grounds for denial of entry or removal
MDA strongly recommends (does not require) isolating animals for 14 days after they return home
Out-of-state birds must also meet Maryland's import rules for poultry (see Bringing birds in)
“Have a negative avian influenza test conducted on a representative sample of 10 BIRDS PER PREMISES within 21 days prior to the event start date.”
Maryland Department of Agriculture, Animal Health Section · mda.maryland.gov · Poultry, Maryland Poultry 2.a
“Have a negative avian influenza test conducted on a representative sample of ALL BIRDS IN THE FLOCK within 14 days prior to the opening date of the event.”
Maryland Department of Agriculture, Animal Health Section · mda.maryland.gov · Poultry, Out-of-State Poultry 1.a
“IDENTIFICATION: ALL POULTRY entering an exhibition must be identified with a numbered leg or wing band.”
Maryland Department of Agriculture, Animal Health Section · mda.maryland.gov · Poultry, All Poultry 2
“PREMISES REGISTRATION: All poultry exhibitors originating from Maryland must have valid proof of a registered Maryland Poultry Premises ID Number or Federal Premises ID Number, included on test paperwork.”
Maryland Department of Agriculture, Animal Health Section · mda.maryland.gov · Poultry, Maryland Poultry 1
“All poultry exhibitors are required to complete and produce (digital or printed) a Poultry Exhibitor's Self Certification of Animal Health and Biosecurity Statement.”
Maryland Department of Agriculture, Animal Health Section · mda.maryland.gov · Poultry, All Poultry 4
“All out-of-state entries must be accompanied by an Interstate Certificate of Veterinary Inspection, except poultry.”
Maryland Department of Agriculture, Animal Health Section · mda.maryland.gov · General 2.b
“Effective: February 1, 2026”
Maryland Department of Agriculture, Animal Health Section · mda.maryland.gov · cover
“All animals that originate from a location other than Maryland shall meet all Maryland State importation regulations appropriate to the species in addition to the fair animal health requirements.”
Maryland Department of Agriculture, Animal Health Section · mda.maryland.gov · Notable 2026 requirements 2.a
Standing ruleShows and fairs
Show poultry (except waterfowl) must come from a U.S. Pullorum-Typhoid Clean flock or test negative within 90 days
Sponsors notify MDA 30 days ahead and keep a 12-month bird list
“Poultry, except waterfowl, at exhibitions shall originate from U.S. Pullorum-Typhoid Clean or equivalent flocks, or shall have had a negative pullorum-typhoid test within 90 days of its movement to an exhibition.”
Maryland Department of Agriculture (Code of Maryland Regulations) · regs.maryland.gov · .06B
“A sponsor of an exhibition shall notify the Secretary of the following within 30 days before the exhibition date: the name, place, and inclusive dates and hours of the exhibition.”
Maryland Department of Agriculture (Code of Maryland Regulations) · regs.maryland.gov · .06A
Standing ruleRegistration
Standing law: everyone who keeps poultry in Maryland must register them with MDA (free; Maryland Poultry Premises Registration Form)
“A person shall have a numbered annual permit from the Secretary before doing the following:”
Maryland Department of Agriculture (Code of Maryland Regulations) · regs.maryland.gov · .04A
“Hatching eggs and poultry that are derived immediately from flocks and hatcheries participating in the NPIP or equivalent program,”
Maryland Department of Agriculture (Code of Maryland Regulations) · regs.maryland.gov · .04B(1)(a)
“You must have a permit to sell live poultry or hatching eggs in Maryland. The only exceptions are poultry sold for immediate slaughter (COMAR 15.11.11.04) or at an approved auction market.”
Maryland Department of Agriculture · mda.maryland.gov · Selling Live Poultry or Hatching Eggs
Standing ruleSales, swaps and auctions
MDA's posted 2019 swap-meet policy (still linked from its poultry page): market operators notify MDA 30 days ahead
Every vendor needs a Maryland permit-to-sell number; out-of-state birds need an AI test within 21 days or AI-clean status
In effect from January 1, 2019 · No end date in the source
Statewide · small or other poultry markets: farmers' markets, flea markets, swap meets, botanicas, internet sales · Birds: poultry (AI testing: all except pigeons and doves)
Operators notify MDA Animal Health in writing (name, place, dates, hours) at least 30 days before the event
All vendors, in state or out of state, need a Maryland Permit to Sell Poultry ID number (COMAR 15.11.11.04)
Maryland vendors show a Poultry Premise Registration ID and permit number on entering
Out-of-state birds: CVI or NPIP VS 9-2/9-3; PT test within 90 days or PT Clean flock; AI test on at least 30 birds (whole flock if fewer) within 21 days before the event, or NPIP AI Clean / State H5/H7 Monitored flock
Birds showing signs of illness are refused entry; sick birds on site may be tested, removed and quarantined back to origin
Vendors keep 12-month sale records and give buyers a receipt; operators list all poultry present and keep it 12 months
Missing documents can mean removal from the place of sale
Dated 1/3/19 and 'Effective: January 1, 2019'; it cites Order 06-2018, which (by MDA's image-only PDF, read by OCR) ran through September 1, 2019; the policy is still linked from MDA's poultry page
“ALL VENDORS IN STATE OR OUT OF STATE MUST OBTAIN AND POSSESS A MARYLAND PERMIT TO SELL POULTRY ID NUMBER (COMAR 15.11.11.04).”
MDA Office of the State Veterinarian (Michael W. Radebaugh, VMD) · mda.maryland.gov · 2019 Requirements for Vendors 1
“All poultry, except pigeons and doves, must have a negative official Avian Influenza test conducted on at least 30 birds from their flock (or complete flock if fewer than 30) within 21 days prior to event, OR”
MDA Office of the State Veterinarian (Michael W. Radebaugh, VMD) · mda.maryland.gov · Entry requirements 2(c)(i)
“ALL POULTRY: Birds showing any signs of illness will NOT be allowed to enter the place of sale.”
MDA Office of the State Veterinarian (Michael W. Radebaugh, VMD) · mda.maryland.gov · Entry requirements 4
“Swap meet poultry sellers are required to have poultry premises registration and to maintain records of all sales.”
Maryland Department of Agriculture · mda.maryland.gov · Poultry Swap Meet Policy
How to reportReporting sick birds
MDA asks keepers to report unusual deaths or many sick birds to the Animal Health Program (410-841-5810
After hours 410-841-5971) or by email to md.birdflu@maryland.gov
No end date in the source
Statewide · Birds: domestic birds (backyard and commercial)
Also contact USDA at 866-536-7593
MDA's backyard sheet: do not take dead or sick birds to a lab or move them off-site; MDA will arrange sampling if needed
Sick or dead wild birds: USDA Wildlife Services 1-877-463-6497 (per DNR guidance on MDA's page)
“Report any unusual bird deaths or sudden increases in very sick birds to the MDA Animal Health Program at 410-841-5810 or after-hours to 410-841-5971. Also contact the USDA at 866-536-7593.”
Maryland Department of Agriculture · mda.maryland.gov · step 5, line 1 (the step number '5' breaks the sentence in the PDF text)
“birds to a lab to be tested or move them off-site!”
Maryland Department of Agriculture · mda.maryland.gov · step 5, line 2
Bringing birds or hatching eggs into Maryland
Poultry entering Maryland need an approved health certificate (CVI) or permit, void after 30 days, with a copy to MDA (COMAR 15.11.01.03). Unless from U.S. Pullorum-Typhoid Clean or equivalent flocks, poultry need a pullorum-typhoid test within 90 days before arrival; hatching eggs must come from PT Clean or equivalent flocks (COMAR 15.11.11.03). MDA's posted import sheet (revised July 2019) also lists a negative avian influenza test within 21 days of entry, or origin from a U.S. AI Clean or State Monitored flock. The orders that carried this test have expired and it isn't in COMAR 15.11 as read, so confirm with MDA Animal Health (410-841-5810). Birds that are sick, exposed, from a quarantined herd or area, or not meeting these rules need the Secretary's written permission (COMAR 15.11.01.01). Shows add their own 2026 AI test (14 days, up to 30 birds, for out-of-state birds). New World screwworm rule (July 6, 2026): birds from Texas or New Mexico also need an OCVI issued within 72 hours with an NWS-free statement (no NPIP 9-3 in lieu).
What the entry rules say
“Livestock and poultry imported into Maryland shall be accompanied by an approved health certificate or permit, which shall be attached to the waybill or shall be in the possession of the driver of the vehicle or the person in charge of the livestock. A health certificate or permit will be void after 30 days.”
“Unless poultry originate from U.S. Pullorum-Typhoid Clean or equivalent flocks, a poultry importer shall have the poultry tested for pullorum and typhoid within 90 days before the poultry's arrival in Maryland.”
“Avian Influenza Requirements: Imported poultry must be tested negative for Avian Influenza within 21 days of importation or originate from a U.S. Avian Influenza Clean Flock or equivalent State Monitored Flock.”
Maryland Department of Agriculture · mda.maryland.gov · Poultry & Hatching Eggs 2
Standing ruleBringing birds in
Birds that are sick, recently exposed, from a herd or area under quarantine, or not meeting import rules may enter Maryland only with the Secretary's written permission
No end date in the source
Statewide · entry into Maryland · Birds: all animals, including poultry or birds of any species
Apply in writing at least 10 days before the move
Permits are at the Secretary's discretion; animals entering under permit can be quarantined and tested at the owner's risk and expense
“No animal, including poultry or bird of any species, which is affected with, or has recently been exposed to any infectious, parasitic, or transmissible disease, or animals originating in a herd or area under quarantine,”
Maryland Department of Agriculture (Code of Maryland Regulations) · regs.maryland.gov · .01 (first half of sentence)
“or animals which do not meet the import requirements as set forth below, may be brought into Maryland without written permission for the importation from the Secretary.”
Maryland Department of Agriculture (Code of Maryland Regulations) · regs.maryland.gov · .01 (second half of sentence)
Other disease entry orders
Not about bird flu, but they apply to poultry coming in.
Until further noticeBringing birds in
New World screwworm import rule (July 6, 2026): birds and other warm-blooded animals from Texas or New Mexico need an official CVI issued within 72 hours, stating each animal was examined and found free of screwworm wounds
An NPIP 9-3 isn't accepted instead
In effect from July 6, 2026 · Until further notice
Statewide · animals entering Maryland from Texas or New Mexico · Birds: all warm-blooded animals, birds included (hatching and table eggs exempt)
Applies to animals originating in Texas or New Mexico; hatching and table eggs exempt
OCVI issued within 72 hours of movement with the accredited veterinarian's NWS-free attestation; no NPIP 9-3 in lieu
Animals with uninfested wounds: treated with an FDA-approved, conditionally approved or EUA NWS product at least 5 days before entry, recorded on the OCVI
No infested animals may enter
Fairs, shows and exhibitions among those who must immediately report suspected maggot infestation
MDA will amend or lift the requirements as appropriate (no end date)
“All warm-blooded animals, including dogs, cats, and birds originating from the states of Texas and New Mexico must be accompanied by an Official Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (OCVI) issued within 72 hours of movement. Hatching and table eggs are exempt from these requirements.”
Maryland Department of Agriculture · mda.maryland.gov · Import Requirements
“No alternative movement documents, such as an NPIP 9-3, will be accepted in lieu of an OCVI.”
Maryland Department of Agriculture · mda.maryland.gov · Import Requirements, bullet 2
“Report any unusual bird deaths or sudden increases in very sick birds to the MDA Animal Health Program at 410-841-5810 or after-hours to 410-841-5971. Also contact the USDA at 866-536-7593.”
USDA APHIS lists no confirmed bird-flu detections in Maryland flocks in the 30 days to October 14, 2026. Latest detection in the APHIS data: October 9, 2026. The national picture
History
Orders that have ended or been lifted, kept so you can see what changed.
Ended May 16, 2025Sales, swaps and auctions
2025 statewide stop on poultry auctions, swap meets, other markets and exhibitions (Order AH 02-2025), expired May 16, 2025
In effect from March 27, 2025 · Last day May 16, 2025
Statewide · poultry auction markets, other markets (farmers' markets, flea markets, swap meets, botanicas) and exhibitions (fairs, farm shows, petting zoos, races, breeding shows); live bird markets under conditions · Birds: poultry (domesticated fowl incl. chickens, turkeys, ratites, waterfowl, game birds; not doves or pigeons), bred mainly for eggs or meat
No Poultry Auction Market, Other Market (non-slaughter) or Exhibition could operate where poultry were displayed, sold, exchanged or commingled
Not an 'Other Market': a farm or store (e.g. a Tractor Supply store) selling poultry or hatching eggs derived immediately from NPIP (or equivalent) flocks and hatcheries and never commingled
Live Bird Markets (on-site slaughter) could operate only if MDA-permitted, and their birds were NPIP-derived and not commingled, or AI-tested within 21 days of arrival
Live Bird Market operators also had to register the premises, give 120 days' written notice, and keep buyer/seller records (1 year; 3 years for auction and live bird markets)
Amended the original order AH 01-2025 of March 18, 2025 (row md-2025-markets-exhibitions-1); same expiry date
“A person may not operate a Poultry Auction Market, Other Market (non- slaughter), or Exhibition in Maryland where poultry are displayed, sold, exchanged, commingled, or otherwise held for such purpose;”
Maryland Secretary of Agriculture (Kevin Atticks) · mda.maryland.gov · para 2.a
“Duration. This Order takes effect immediately and expires on May 16, 2025.”
Maryland Secretary of Agriculture (Kevin Atticks) · mda.maryland.gov · para 4
“the birds have been tested for Avian Influenza within 21 days of arriving at the Live Bird Market”
Maryland Secretary of Agriculture (Kevin Atticks) · mda.maryland.gov · para 2.b.ii.3
Ended May 16, 2025Sales, swaps and auctions
Original 2025 stop on poultry auctions, other markets and exhibitions (Order AH 01-2025), replaced nine days later by the amended order
Set to expire May 16, 2025
In effect from March 18, 2025 · Last day May 16, 2025
Statewide · poultry auction markets, other markets (non-slaughter) and exhibitions; live bird markets under conditions · Birds: poultry (domesticated fowl; not doves or pigeons), bred mainly for eggs or meat
Live Bird Markets: NPIP-derived and non-commingled birds only (the 21-day AI-test option was added by the amendment)
Superseded in substance by Order AH 02-2025 (effective March 27, 2025), which kept the May 16, 2025 expiry
“A person may not operate a Poultry Auction Market, Other Market (non-slaughter), or Exhibition in Maryland where poultry are displayed, sold, exchanged, commingled, or otherwise held for such purpose;”
2022 order on poultry and hatching-egg entry (AI-clean flock or 30-bird AI test within 21 days
Control-zone birds only with MDA approval), expired January 25, 2023
In effect from January 26, 2022 · Last day January 25, 2023
Statewide · entry into Maryland; entry from control zones; biosecurity on premises raising over 1,000 poultry a year · Birds: poultry and hatching eggs (not doves or pigeons)
Entry required NPIP AI Clean/H5/H7 Clean or Monitored status (or equivalent state program), or a negative official AI test of at least 30 birds over 3 weeks old within 21 days before entry
Non-NPIP flocks: CVI plus VS 9-2 (or equivalent), and a CVI copy to the State Veterinarian within 7 days
From a Control Zone: only with MDA approval (410-841-5810) and any added testing, biosecurity and epidemiological assessment
Extended earlier Order #02-2021 for six months; MDA's Regulations page still lists it (dated 1/26/2022)
“Duration. This Order takes effect immediately and shall be effective through January 25, 2023, unless the danger of additional disease has passed and it is revoked earlier by the Secretary of Agriculture.”
We found no bird-flu order covering Maryland or any of its areas today. Its standing rules for bringing birds in and showing them still apply.
Can I take my chickens to a poultry show or swap in Maryland?
We found no bird-flu ban on shows or sales in force on October 15, 2026. Standing rules apply: 2026 Maryland fair and show rules; Show poultry; Selling live poultry or hatching eggs in Maryland needs a numbered annual MDA permit, with NPIP-sourced birds and 12-month sale records; MDA's posted 2019 swap-meet policy.
What do I need to bring chickens or hatching eggs into Maryland?
Poultry entering Maryland need an approved health certificate (CVI) or permit, void after 30 days, with a copy to MDA (COMAR 15.11.01.03). Unless from U.S. Pullorum-Typhoid Clean or equivalent flocks, poultry need a pullorum-typhoid test within 90 days before arrival; hatching eggs must come from PT Clean or equivalent flocks (COMAR 15.11.11.03). MDA's posted import sheet (revised July 2019) also lists a negative avian influenza test within 21 days of entry, or origin from a U.S. AI Clean or State Monitored flock. The orders that carried this test have expired and it isn't in COMAR 15.11 as read, so confirm with MDA Animal Health (410-841-5810). Birds that are sick, exposed, from a quarantined herd or area, or not meeting these rules need the Secretary's written permission (COMAR 15.11.01.01). Shows add their own 2026 AI test (14 days, up to 30 birds, for out-of-state birds). New World screwworm rule (July 6, 2026): birds from Texas or New Mexico also need an OCVI issued within 72 hours with an NWS-free statement (no NPIP 9-3 in lieu).
Who do I call about sick or dead birds in Maryland?
Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA), Animal Health Program / Office of the State Veterinarian at 410-841-5810 (after hours 410-841-5971). Report sick or dying birds there or to USDA at 1-866-536-7593. This page is not veterinary advice; follow your state veterinarian.
How current is this page?
We read Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA), Animal Health Program / Office of the State Veterinarian's notices on October 14, 2026. Whether each order is in force is worked out from its dates every time the page is rebuilt, at least once an hour, so an order never shows as in force after it ends.
We read each document ourselves and last checked this page against them on October 14, 2026. Where they disagree, we show you the disagreement instead of picking a winner quietly.
What we couldn't confirm
No 2026 Maryland show, sale or movement order was found. MDA posts orders on its Animal Health and avian flu pages, and the newest listed is March 2025. The What-You-Need-to-Know page's tabs couldn't be read.
MDA's 'Counties Affected' table stops at 12/20/2025. Its 2026 cases appear only in the newsroom releases and in APHIS's data (Caroline 04-06, Wicomico 01, Cecil 05).
Date mismatches: the March 12, 2026 Cecil release's dateline reads 'March 12, 2025' while the post is dated March 12th, 2026 and says 'fifth case ... in 2026'. MDA dates the Cecil 05 detection 3/12 (presumptive) and APHIS March 13, 2026.
The avian influenza import test (21 days or AI Clean) comes from MDA's import sheet (revised July 2019). It isn't in COMAR 15.11.01 or 15.11.11 as read. The orders that once carried it (05-2018, AH 01-2022) have expired, so the sheet's current legal basis is unconfirmed: confirm with MDA (410-841-5810).
Swap meet policy (2019): its cited authority, Order 06-2018, ran through September 1, 2019 (read by OCR from MDA's image-only PDF). Its permit-to-sell and PT parts rest on COMAR 15.11.11, which is current. Whether MDA still enforces the policy's AI-test clause for out-of-state vendors is unconfirmed. Recorded as MDA's posted policy.
Image-only PDFs, read by OCR only and not quoted: Order 05-2018 (import, through September 1, 2019), Order 06-2018 (markets, through September 1, 2019), Order AH 02-2020 (markets, through July 5, 2020), and the 1/8/2025 Eastern Shore poultry litter control order (commercial operations, 30 days, renewable). All are expired history or commercial-only, so they are kept out of measures; listed in.
The 2026 fair requirements are an MDA document citing COMAR 15.11.14.06, recorded with kind 'notice'. COMAR 15.11.14.06 itself has no poultry AI-testing clause, so the AI-test requirement's binding basis is the MDA document.
Order numbering: MDA used 'AH 01-2025' for both the 1/8/2025 litter order and the 3/18/2025 market order.
Delmarva: no Maryland control area is open in APHIS's data. Delaware's areas are in de.json.
Nature: market and exhibition orders, the 2022 orders and the NWS rule are 'order' rows; the rest are standing rules. The MDA swap-meet policy is classed standing_rule.
Owner checklist: confirm with MDA Animal Health (410-841-5810) whether the 21-day avian influenza import test on MDA's 2019 import sheet is still required, and under what authority.
The State Veterinarian's letters of December 18, 2024 and January 2025 (read and saved) recommend indoor housing. They're advice, not orders, and predate the 2026 cases, so they aren't recorded as measures.
md-2025-markets-exhibitions-amended-1: MDA's Secretary Orders list dates this amended order 3/28/2025; the order itself says effective 3/27/2025 and 'this 27th day of March, 2025'
appliesToday: NWS entry orders are marked 'unknown' where they bind only birds from a state, county or zone with a current screwworm infested or surveillance zone, because no current APHIS screwworm zone list was read. Maryland's rule names Texas and New Mexico outright, so it's marked 'yes'.
