The widening U.S. bird flu outbreak has made its way to Maryland, which has counted two cases on commercial poultry farms — one in Caroline County and another in Queen Anne’s County — since the start of the year.

Guidelines from the USDA recommend owners of backyard flocks prevent the spread of bird flu by doing things like restricting access to their birds, and cleaning their clothes, shoes, equipment, and hands.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is urging health care workers to accelerate bird flu testing for patients hospitalized with flu symptoms.

Bird flu cases rise in South Carolina, Georgia