Winter “avian flu” season

November 4, 2024: Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (Bird Flu) Detected in a Commercial Turkey Flock in Sacramento County, California

Sacramento, CA – Following an investigation by the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA), the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL) has confirmed highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in a commercial turkey flock in Sacramento County. This commercial flock finding is in addition to the recent cases announced in Fresno County (10/30/24), Tulare County (10/29/24, 10/24/24, and 10/16/24), Kings County (10/30/24 and 10/29/24), and Merced County (09/18/24). All detections of HPAI in poultry can be found here: 2022–2024 Detections of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (usda.gov).

This HPAI virus spreads easily between birds and is lethal to poultry, so infected flocks are quarantined and euthanized, followed by cleaning and disinfection of the barns. The disease is spread through movement of infected or exposed birds; direct or indirect contact with infected wild and domestic birds; and contact with virus on fomites (surfaces) such as hands, shoes, clothing, or feet and the fur of rodents and other animals exposed to infected birds or cattle. The source of infection in this flock is currently unknown and under investigation. Testing of other farms in the area will be conducted over the next several weeks to determine the extent of spread. We strongly urge all poultry owners in California to protect their flocks by increasing their biosecurity practices. Recommended biosecurity practices can be found on the CDFA and USDA websites.

Clinical signs of HPAI include sudden death, trouble breathing, clear runny discharge (from nose, mouth, and eyes), lethargy, decreased food and water intake, swelling (eyes, head, wattles, or combs), discolored or bruised comb, wattles, or legs, stumbling/falling, or a twisted neck. For more information and updates, please visit our CDFA Avian Health Program webpage. Poultry owners with flocks that have experienced any unusual/suspicious illness or deaths should call our CDFA Sick Bird Hotline at 866-922-BIRD (2473).

Report any unusual or suspicious dead wild birds to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife online. If you have questions about wildlife rehabilitation, please contact the California Department of Fish and Wildlife directly: Wildlife Health Lab - Avian Investigations (ca.gov).

Stay Informed: For the latest updates in California domestic poultry, subscribe and follow us on social media. You can find us on Facebook (Animal Health Branch – CDFA) and Instagram (AnimalHealthBranch_CDFA).

For more information and updates on wild bird detections in California, visit the California Department of Fish and Wildlife website.

For public inquiries regarding HPAI in California, please call 916-217-7517 or send an e-mail to cdfa.HPAIinfo@cdfa.ca.gov. For media inquiries, please call 916-654-0462 or send an e-mail to OfficeOfPublicAffairs@cdfa.ca.gov.

October 31, 2024: Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (Bird Flu) Detected in Commercial Broilers Flocks in Kings County and Fresno County, California

Sacramento, CA – Following an investigation by the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA), the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL) has confirmed highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in one commercial broiler flock in Kings County and one commercial broiler flock in Fresno County. These commercial and backyard flock findings are in addition to the recent cases announced in Tulare County (10/29/24, 10/24/24, and 10/16/24), Kings County (10/29/24), and Merced County (09/18/24). All detections of HPAI in poultry can be found here: 2022–2024 Detections of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (usda.gov).

This HPAI virus spreads easily between birds and is lethal to poultry, so infected flocks are quarantined and euthanized, followed by cleaning and disinfection of the barns. The disease is spread through movement of infected or exposed birds; direct or indirect contact with infected wild and domestic birds; and contact with virus on fomites (surfaces) such as hands, shoes, clothing, or feet and the fur of rodents and other animals exposed to infected birds or cattle. The source of infection in these flocks is currently unknown and under investigation. Testing of other farms in the area will be conducted over the next several weeks to determine the extent of spread. We strongly urge all poultry owners in California to protect their flocks by increasing their biosecurity practices. Recommended biosecurity practices can be found on the CDFA and USDA websites.

For more information and updates on wild bird detections in California, visit the California Department of Fish and Wildlife website.

October 30, 2024: Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (Bird Flu) Detected in Backyard and Commercial Flocks in Kings County and Tulare County, California

Sacramento, CA – Following an investigation by the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA), the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL) has confirmed highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in two commercial broiler flocks in Kings County and one backyard flock in Tulare County. These commercial and backyard flock findings are in addition to the recent cases announced in Tulare County on 10/24/24 and 10/16/24 and Merced County on 09/18/24. All detections of HPAI in poultry can be found here: 2022–2024 Detections of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (usda.gov).

This HPAI virus spreads easily between birds and is lethal to poultry, so infected flocks are quarantined and euthanized, followed by cleaning and disinfection of the barns. The disease is spread through movement of infected or exposed birds, direct or indirect contact with infected wild and domestic birds, or contact with virus on fomites (surfaces) such as hands, shoes, clothing, or feet and the fur of rodents and other animals exposed to infected birds or cattle. The source of infection in these flocks are currently unknown and under investigation. Testing of other farms in the area will be conducted over the next several weeks to determine the extent of spread. We strongly urge all poultry owners in California to protect their flocks by increasing their biosecurity practices. Recommended biosecurity practices can be found on the CDFA and USDA websites.

For more information and updates on wild bird detections in California, visit the California Department of Fish and Wildlife website.

October 28, 2024: Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (Bird Flu) Detected in a California Commercial Broiler Flock in Tulare County

Sacramento, CA – Following an investigation by the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA), the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL) has confirmed highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in a commercial broiler flock in Tulare County. This is the third detection of HPAI in domestic poultry since California was declared HPAI-free on June 28^th, 2024. The previous detections occurred in a commercial turkey flock in Merced County on September 19, 2024, and in a mixed broiler/turkey flock in Tulare County on October 16, 2024. All national detections of HPAI in poultry can be found here: 2022–2024 Detections of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (usda.gov).

This HPAI virus spreads easily between birds and is lethal to poultry, so infected flocks are quarantined and euthanized, followed by cleaning and disinfection of the barns. The disease is spread through movement of infected or exposed birds, direct or indirect contact with infected wild and domestic birds, or contact with virus on fomites (surfaces) such as hands, shoes, clothing, or feet and the fur of rodents and other animals exposed to infected birds or cattle. The source of infection in this flock is currently unknown and under investigation. Testing of other farms in the area will be conducted over the next several weeks to determine the extent of spread. We strongly urge all poultry owners in California to protect their flocks by increasing their biosecurity practices. Recommended biosecurity practices can be found on the CDFA and USDA websites.

For more information and updates on wild bird detections in California, visit the California Department of Fish and Wildlife website.

October 22, 2024: Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (Bird Flu) Detected in a California Commercial Poultry Flock in Tulare County

Sacramento, CA – Following an investigation by the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA), the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL) has confirmed highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in a commercial poultry flock (mixed turkey/broiler operation) in Tulare County. This is the second detection of HPAI in domestic poultry since California was declared HPAI-free on June 28^th, 2024. The previous detection occurred in a commercial turkey flock in Merced County on September 19, 2024. All national detections of HPAI in poultry can be found here: 2022–2024 Detections of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (usda.gov).

This HPAI virus spreads easily between birds and is lethal to poultry, so infected flocks are quarantined and euthanized, followed by cleaning and disinfection of the barns. The disease is spread through movement of infected or exposed birds, direct or indirect contact with infected wild and domestic birds, or contact with virus on fomites (surfaces) such as hands, shoes, clothing, or feet and the fur of rodents and other animals exposed to infected birds or cattle. The source of infection in this flock is currently unknown and under investigation. Testing of other farms in the area will be conducted over the next several weeks to determine the extent of spread. We strongly urge all poultry owners in California to protect their flocks by increasing their biosecurity practices. Recommended biosecurity practices can be found on the CDFA and USDA websites.

For more information and updates on wild bird detections in California, visit the California Department of Fish and Wildlife website.

September 19, 2024: Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (Bird Flu) Detected in a California Commercial Turkey Flock in Merced County

Sacramento, CA – Following an investigation by the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA), the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL) has confirmed highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in a commercial turkey flock in Merced County. This is the first detection of HPAI in domestic poultry since California was declared HPAI-free on June 28^th, 2024. All national detections of HPAI in poultry can be found here: 2022–2024 Detections of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (usda.gov).

This HPAI virus spreads easily between birds and is lethal to poultry, so infected flocks are quarantined and euthanized, followed by cleaning and disinfection of the barns. The disease is spread through movement of infected or exposed birds, direct or indirect contact with infected wild and domestic birds, or contact with virus on fomites (surfaces) such as hands, shoes, clothing, or feet and the fur of rodents and other animals exposed to infected birds or cattle. The source of infection in this flock is currently unknown and under investigation. Testing of other farms in the area will be conducted over the next several weeks to determine the extent of spread. We strongly urge all poultry owners in California to protect their flocks by increasing their biosecurity practices. Recommended biosecurity practices can be found on the CDFA and USDA websites.

For more information and updates on wild bird detections in California, visit the California Department of Fish and Wildlife website.