Pennsylvania state officials say the commonwealth currently remains free of the avian influenza pathogen known as H-P-A-I. However, federal experts say other areas of the country, primarily in the western and midwestern states, have not been as fortunate. Since October 1st, 14 other states have reported H-P-A-I detections, but none of them share borders with Pennsylvania. However, State Department of Agriculture inspectors have encountered several instances of lax biosecurity.