December 19, 2024: Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (Bird Flu) Detected in a New Commercial Flock in Merced County

Sacramento, CA – Following an investigation by the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) and rapid disease detection by California Animal Health and Food Safety Laboratory System (CAHFS), the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL) has confirmed highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in a commercial flock in Merced County. Movement restrictions have been placed in the following nine (9) California counties: Fresno, Kern, Marin, Merced, Monterey, Sacramento, San Joaquin, Stanislaus, and Tulare. This nationwide outbreak of HPAI began in 2022 and all US detections in poultry can be found here: 2022–2024 Detections of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (usda.gov). Note that the website is updated at noon Eastern Standard Time.

State of Emergency Proclamation by the Governor

Following the recent detections of Avian influenza A (H5N1) in dairy cattle within California, Governor Gavin Newsom has declared a state of emergency. According to a statement from the Governor's Office, "This proclamation is a targeted action to ensure government agencies have the resources and flexibility they need to respond quickly to this outbreak." The goal of this announcement is to boost our state's preparedness for a quick response to the spread of this disease in California.

Public awareness plays a critical role in the state's strategy. This includes regular public updates, multilingual outreach, and education on prevention. Governor Newsom stated, "While the risk to the public remains low, we will continue to take all necessary steps to prevent the spread of this virus."

For Poultry Owners

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).

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. 

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.

 

 

December 16, 2024: Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (Bird Flu) Detected in a Four (4) New Poultry Flocks in Merced County, Monterey County, and Tulare County

Sacramento, CA – Following an investigation by the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) and rapid disease detection by California Animal Health and Food Safety Laboratory System (CAHFS), the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL) has confirmed highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in four (4) new poultry flocks, one commercial flock in Merced County, one commercial flock in Monterey County, and two commercial flocks in Tulare County. Movement restrictions have been placed in the following ten (10) California counties: Fresno, Kern, Kings, Marin, Merced, Monterey, Sacramento, San Joaquin, Stanislaus, and Tulare. This nationwide outbreak of HPAI began in 2022 and all US detections in poultry can be found here: 2022–2024 Detections of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (usda.gov). Note that the website is updated at noon Eastern Standard Time.

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, also known as surveillance testing, 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.

 

 

December 11, 2024: Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (Bird Flu) Detected in a Three (3) New Poultry Flocks in Kern County, Stanislaus County, and Tulare County

Sacramento, CA – Following an investigation by the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) and rapid disease detection by California Animal Health and Food Safety Laboratory System (CAHFS), the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL) has confirmed highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in three (3) new poultry flocks, one backyard flock in Kern County, one commercial flock in Stanislaus County, and one commercial flock in Tulare County. Movement restrictions have been placed in the following nine (9) California counties: Fresno, Kern, Kings, Marin, Merced, Sacramento, San Joaquin, Stanislaus, and Tulare. This nationwide outbreak of HPAI began in 2022 and all US detections in poultry can be found here: 2022–2024 Detections of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (usda.gov). Note that the website is updated at noon Eastern Standard Time.

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, also known as surveillance testing, 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.

 

 

December 9, 2024: Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (Bird Flu) Detected in a New Backyard Flock in Stanislaus County

Sacramento, CA – Following an investigation by the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) and rapid disease detection by California Animal Health and Food Safety Laboratory System (CAHFS), the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL) has confirmed highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in a backyard flock in Stanislaus County. Movement restrictions have been placed in the following nine (9) California counties: Fresno, Kern, Kings, Marin, Merced, Sacramento, San Joaquin, Stanislaus, and Tulare. This nationwide outbreak of HPAI began in 2022 and all US detections in poultry can be found here: 2022–2024 Detections of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (usda.gov). Note that the website is updated at noon Eastern Standard Time.

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, also known as surveillance testing, 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.

 

 

December 6, 2024: Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (Bird Flu) Detected in Four New Commercial Flocks in California

Sacramento, CA – Following an investigation by the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) and rapid disease detection by California Animal Health and Food Safety Laboratory System (CAHFS), the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL) has confirmed highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in three commercial flocks in Merced County and one commercial flock in San Joaquin County. Movement restrictions have been placed in the following nine (9) California counties: Fresno, Kern, Kings, Marin, Merced, Sacramento, San Joaquin, Stanislaus, and Tulare. This nationwide outbreak of HPAI began in 2022 and all US detections in poultry can be found here: 2022–2024 Detections of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (usda.gov). Note that the website is updated at noon Eastern Standard Time.

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, also known as surveillance testing, 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.

 

 

December 5, 2024: Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (Bird Flu) Detected in Five New Flocks in California

Sacramento, CA – Following an investigation by the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) and rapid disease detection by California Animal Health and Food Safety Laboratory System (CAHFS), the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL) has confirmed highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in five (5) new flocks in California: one backyard flock in Riverside County that does not enter our food supply, one commercial flock in Sacramento County, and three commercial flocks in Stanislaus County. Movement restrictions have been placed in the following nine (9) California counties: Fresno, Kern, Kings, Marin, Merced, Sacramento, San Joaquin, Stanislaus, and Tulare. This nationwide outbreak of HPAI began in 2022 and all US detections in poultry can be found here: 2022–2024 Detections of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (usda.gov). Note that the website is updated at noon Eastern Standard Time.

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, also known as surveillance testing, 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.

 

 

December 4, 2024: Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (Bird Flu) Detected in a Commercial Flock in Fresno County

Sacramento, CA – Following an investigation by the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) and rapid disease detection by California Animal Health and Food Safety Laboratory System (CAHFS), the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL) has confirmed highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in a commercial poultry flock in Fresno County. Movement restrictions have been placed in the following nine (9) California counties: Fresno, Kern, Kings, Marin, Merced, Sacramento, San Joaquin, Stanislaus, and Tulare. This nationwide outbreak of HPAI began in 2022 and all US detections in poultry can be found here: 2022–2024 Detections of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (usda.gov). Note that the website is updated at noon Eastern Standard Time.

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, also known as surveillance testing, 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.

 

 

December 2, 2024: Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (Bird Flu) Detected in Four Commercial Flocks in Fresno County, Merced County, and Tulare County

Sacramento, CA – Following an investigation by the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) and rapid disease detection by California Animal Health and Food Safety Laboratory System (CAHFS), the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL) has confirmed highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in four commercial flocks, two in Fresno County, one in Merced County, and one in Tulare County. Movement restrictsions have been placed in the following nine (9) California counties: Fresno, Kern, Kings, Marin, Merced, Sacramento, San Joaquin, Stanislaus, and Tulare. This nationwide outbreak of HPAI began in 2022 and all US detections in poultry can be found here: 2022–2024 Detections of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (usda.gov). Note that the website is updated at noon Eastern Standard Time.

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, also known as surveillance testing, 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.